Gc
974.2
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1957666 * S HISTORICAL
GENEALOGY COLLECTION
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY
3 1833 01092 3446
Digitized by the Internet Archive
in 2013
http://archive.org/details/provincialstatepv13p1newh
©cion papers.
DOCUMENTS
BELATING TO
TOWNS IN NEW HAMPSHIR
NEW LONDON TO WOLFEBOROUGH,
WITH AN
APPENDIX,
Embracing some Documents, interesting and valuable, not
heretofore published, including the Census of
New Hampshire of 1790 in detail.
PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY OF THE LEGISLATURE,
VOLUME XIII
COMPILED AND EDITED BY
ISAAC "W. XIAMMQNP, A.M.,
PEKSIDENT OF THE NE<V HAMl'SHIRE AVTFQUAXUaN SOCIETY.
CONCORD, N. H.:
PARSONS B. COGSWELL, STATE PRINTER.
1 884.
\o
1957666
JOINT RESOLUTION relating to the preservation and publication of
portions of the early state and provincial records and other state
papers of New Hampshire.
Resolved by the Senate a?id House of Representatives in General
Court convened :
That his excellency the governor be hereby authorized and empow-
ered, with the advice and consent of the council, to employ some suit-
able person — and fix his compensation, to be paid out of any money in
the treasury not otherwise appropriated — to collect, arrange, transcribe,
and superintend the publication of such portions of the early state and
provincial records and other state papers of New Hampshire as the
governor may deem proper ; and that eight hundred copies of each
volume of the same be printed by the state printer, and distributed as
follows : namely, one copy to each city and town in the state, one copy
to such of the public libraries in the state as the governor may desig-
nate, fifty copies to the New Hampshire Historical Society, and the
remainder placed in the custody of the state librarian, who is hereby
authorized to exchange the same for similar publications by other states.
Approved August 4, 1881.
In accordance with the foregoing resolution, the governor, with'ad-
vice of the council, on the 12th day of October, 1881, appointed and
commissioned Isaac W. Hammond as "Editor and Compiler of State
Papers."
EDITOR'S PREFACE.
This volume completes the public. ition of the documents
relating to the towns in this state, which were collected by
the editor in 1879 and 1SS0, placed in volumes in the office
of the secretary of state, and labelled " Town Papers, Collec-
tion of 18S0," and " Indian and French Wars, and Revolution-
ary Papers, Collection of 1880." There are twelve of the
former and four of the latter ; and the figures in brackets at the
beginning of each article in this volume refer to the number
and page of the manuscript volume where the original docu-
ment may be found. The characteristics of this volume are
similar to the two next preceding, and it will be necessary, in
most cases, to examine the three, to find all the matter relating
to any town. An abstract of the contents may be found at the
commencement, which will give the reader an idea of the nature
of each document ; and at the end is a copious index, containing
all the names of towns and persons mentioned, with reference
to every place in which they occur. The compilation of said
index required a large amount of labor, but without one full
and complete, an historical work loses a large portion of its
value ; — and the editor respectfully calls the attention of gentle-
men who are compiling town histories, to the importance of
indexing the same fully and completely.
The increasing interest manifested by the citizens of the state,
generally, in matters relating to its early history, is strong evi-
dence of their intelligence and patriotism, and augurs well for
the future.
The amount of time and money expended in the publication
of these volumes is small, compared with the benefits that will
accrue to our citizens in various ways ; and it is believed that
the wisdom of our legislature in authorizing their publication,
IV EDITOR S PREFACE.
and of the governors and councils in causing the same to be
done, will become more apparent and be still better appre-
ciated as time passes on, and that these volumes will be highly
valued by succeeding generations.
The editor desires to express his grateful acknowledgments
to His Excellency Samuel W. Hale and the honorable council
for their cordial support and encouragement, in his labors ; to
Hon. A. B. Thompson, secretary of state, for valued counsel ;
and to many other citizens of the state for the helpful- interest
they have shown in the work, and their readiness to answer
any and all requests made of them in furtherance of its compi-
lation.
In accordance with the provisions of a joint resolution of the
legislature, approved August 4, 18S1, the governor, with the
advice of the council, has authorized the publication of the
Revolutionary War Rolls of this state, and the work has been
commenced. These rolls do not exist in duplicate, and many
of them are torn and defaced in consequence of much handling.
The importance of their publication as the best way to preserve
the names of those brave and determined men is apparent to
every patriotic citizen of the state who has examined them.
HAMMOND.
Concord, May, 1884.
GENERAL CONTENTS.
NEW LONDON.
Introduction,
Record of Masonian Grant, 1773,
Petition for incorporation, 1778, .
Petition of Jonas Minot relative to taxes, 1780,
Petition relative to a road from Kearsarge Gore to Pro
tectworth, . .
Vote for an issue of paper-money, 1786,
Petition for appointment of a magistrate, 1787,
Petition for authority to tax non-residents, 1790
Vote relative to annexation of part of Kearsarge Gore
1792, . . . . . .
Petition relative to proprietors' meetings, 1795,
Petition relative to proprietary matters, 1796,
NEW MARKET.
Introduction, . . . . . .
Case of assault, 1731, .....
Decision of court in foregoing case,
Warrant for arrest of Sambo, 1 73 1 ,
Petition relative to an election, 1745, .
Petition for a ferry over Exeter river, 1750,
Remonstrance to said petition,
Petition relative to New Market bridge, 1755,
Petition of Edward Fox, soldier, 1756,
Petition of Chase Wiggin, soldier, 1761,
Petition of Josiah Wiggin, soldier, 1760,
Account of supplies furnished a soldier, 1779,
Petition of Jonathan Mason, soldier, 17S0, .
Relative to assistance to soldiers' families, 1775.
Reference to a plan of land, 1764,
Request for permit to send stock out of the province,
9
10
11
11
12
15
18
18
18
*9
*9
l 9
l 9
20
VI
GENERAL CONTENTS.
Petition relative to militia, 1775, . .
Petition relative to rnilitia affairs, 1775,
Petition relative to militia officers, 1775,
Petition relative to church matters, 1777,
Members of the west society, 1778,
Petition relative to New Market bridge, 1780
Relative to the adoption of U. S. articles of confedera
tion, ........
Petition for the appointment of a magistrate, 1884,
Petition for authority to call a special meeting, 1785,
Petition relative to repairing New Market bridge, 17S5
Report of committee on foregoing,
Petition for removal of said bridge, 17S5,
Remonstrance to said removal, 1786, .
Remonstrance from citizens of Epping to same,
Deposition of Hubartus Neal relative to same,
Deposition of Walter Bryent relative to same,
Vote relative to church matters, 1793, .
Petition relative to church matters, 1793.
Relative to a soldier who died of small-pox, 1761
Account of supplies furnished same, .
' 20
2 5
26
27
28
29
3 1 ' 32
33
34
36
37
38
40
4 1
42
43
44
44
45
NEWPORT.
Introduction, .......
Names of men residing at Sugar river,
Petition for a new grant of the township, 1768, .
Return of ratable polls, 1783, ....
Petition to have proceedings of lown-meeting legalized
■783, •
Remonstrance to same, .....
Vote of town relative to issuing paper money, 1786,
Concerning service in the Revolution, 17S4,
Statement of James Doud relative to same, .
46
46
4 £
48
48
49
50
5 1
52
NEWTON.
Introduction, .....
Rev. Thomas W. Powers ordained, 1755
Bounds of a highway, 1747,
Relative to a road laid out in 1699,
Action relative to highways, 1755,
Statement relative to highways, 1755,
Report of committee on same,
Petition for opening a highway, 1755,
Consent of inhabitants relative to same
Warrant for town-meeting, 176S,
OJ>>
53
53
54
55
55
5 l
58
60
60
GENERAL CONTENTS.
VU
Proceedings at said meeting, 1768,
Proceedings at town-meeting, 1769,
Committee appointed to request a redress of grievances
Depositions relative to illegal proceedings in town-meet
ing, 1769,
Relative to trouble between the churches, 1770, .
Relative to line between Newton and South Hampton,
Report of committee on the same, 1 771 ,
Relative to assessment of taxes, 1777, .
Protest against seating a representative, 1776,
Soldier's order, 1784, ......
61
62
64
65
66
67
68
68
69
70
NORTHFIELD.
Introduction, ......
Relative to first town-meeting, 1780, .
Petition of Thomas Lyford, soldier, 1782, .
Soldiers' orders, ......
Civil magistrate wanted, 1785,
Relative to a ferry over Merrimack river, 1785,
Petition for a ferry, 1785, ....
Petition for a magistrate, 1786, .
Petition for a magistrate, 1787, .
70
70
7*
71
72
72
73
74
74
NORTH HAMPTON.
Introduction, . . . .
Petition for the confirmation of a town line, 1742,
Action of the legislature on foregoing,
Petition relative to church affairs,
Petition of Palmer and Fogg to be "set off to Rye,
J 744> • • •
Petition for a land grant, i749> ....
Liist of associates, ......
Petition relative to election of representatives, 1758,
Petition relative to same, .....
Petition relative to parish affairs, 1779,
Petition relative to election of representative, 1783?
Petition of Stephen Brown, soldier, 1759, •
Petition of Jonathan Wedgwood, 1 761,
Petition of Samuel Davis, soldier, 1763,
Soldier's order, 177S, ......
Petition of Abraham Marston and James Wedgwood
soldiers, ........
Account for supplies to soldier's wife, 1782,
Petition of Daniel Gookin, soldier, 1785,
Relative to the town's quota of soldiers, 1786,
7 i
76
7 2
78
81
81
82
82
f 3
85
85
86
86
86
I 7
87
Vlll
GENERAL CONTENTS.
NORTHUMBERLAND.
Introduction, .......
Petition relative to a road from Conway, 1780,
Report of a committee relative to building a road,
Return of ratable polls, 17S3, .
Petition for authority to establish a lottery, 1791,
Petition for grant of a ferry, 1785,
Petition for a new county, 1791, .
Petition for a special tax to build a bridge, 1799,
88
88
S o 9
90
90
9 1
92
NORTHWOOD.
Introduction, ......
Petition for a magistrate, 1774, .
Petition for a magistrate, 1785, .
Petition of William Glidden, soldier, 1785, .
Petition of Samuel Trickey, soldier, 17S6, .
Petition for a magistrate, 17S5, .
Petition for incorporation of the Baptist society,
Remonstrance to same, ....
Petition relative to laying out a road, 1788, .
Report of committee on same, 1789, .
1797
93
93
94
94
95
96
9
9
99
NOTTINGHAM.
Introduction, ......
Soldiers in First N. H. Regiment,
Soldiers in the service in Revolutionary war,
Petitions of sundry Presbyterians to be joined to Wind
ham, ......
Relative to town line, 1756,
Trouble at town-meeting, 1756, .
Vote of town relative to minister rates,
Petition of Robert Mason, soldier, 1760,
Petition of Israel Blake, soldier, 1761,
Vote relative to a division of the town, 1765,
Vote relative to a division of the town, 1771,
Petition for a division of the town, 1 77 1 ••
Petition of Peter Hanson for a divorce, 1778,
Petition of John McCoy, marine, 1779,
Relative to John Whitehorn, soldier, .
Petition of Anna Thomas, soldier's widow, 17S1,
Soldier's receipt, 17S1,
Deposition relative to a soldier, 1782, .
Petition for a magistrate, 17S5, .
Vote relative to paper currency, 17S5,
99
TOO
IOI
I02
I02
I02
IO4
IO4
IO4
I06
107
I08
IO9
IO9
IO9
IIO
1 10
IIO
III
GENERAL CONTENTS.
IX
7°7
ORANGE.
Introduction, .......
Petition of Simeon Olcott for grant of Cardigan, .
Petition of Fellows and Larabee for grant of Cardigan
Captain Joseph Kinne's return of soldiers, 1777,
Captain Joseph Kinne's return of soldiers, 1779,
Petition for incorporation of the town, 1779,
Petition relative to assessing taxes, 1780,
Inventory of lands of non-residents, 17S0,
Inventory of polls and ratable estate, .
Service done in the army by the town,
Petition of inhabitants relative to taxes, 1783,
Petition relative to taxing non-residents, 1783,
Petition relative to a road, 17S3,
Petition to be incorporated, 17S3,
Petition for relief in the matter of taxes,
Petition for authority to tax non-residents, 1785,
Petition relative to a magistrate, 1785,
Petition relative to raising money to repair roads,
Petition relative to selling land for taxes, 17SS,
Petition relative to raising money to repair roads, 1788
Petition to have the town incorporated, 1789,
Petition relative to raising money to repair roads, 1791 ,
ORFORD.
Introduction, .......
Record of convention, Vermont controversy, 1778,
Nehemiah Estabrook to Meshech Weare, 177S,
Petition for authority to tax non-residents, 1 77 1 '
Proposal of proprietors relative to minister's salary
J773
Proprietors' expenditures, ....
Petition of William Simpson for a ferry. i773»
Proceedings at a proprietors' meeting, 1773,
Inventory of polls and estates, 1779,
Soldiers' receipts, 1778 and 1782,
John Lapish's discharge from the army, 17S3,
Note relative to other discharges, 17S3,
Petition relative to doomage, 17S3,
Petition relative to supplies furnished scouts, 1786,
Petition relative to taxes, .....
Petition relative to suppressing thistles, 1795'
Petition for incorporating an academy, 1 797'
Petition for incorporating a school, 1797,
OSSIPEE.
Introduction, .......
Petition for an incorporation, 1785,
112
112
IT 3
IJ 3
114
114
TI 5
"5
118
118
118
120
120
121
121
122
123
123
124
124
125
126
126
128
128
129
129
130
I3 1
*3*
*33
*33
133
*34
134
*34
135
136
136
*37
138
*39
GENERAL CONTENTS.
Petition for abatement of taxes, 17S8, .
Soldier's order, 1781, .
Petition for authority to raise money by a special tax to
repair roads, 1791, .......
Relative to a discovery of iron ore, 1790,
140
140
141
142
PELHAM.
Introduction, ........ 142
Petition of citizens of Salem and Pelham for a grant of
land, 1750, . . . . . . . . 143
Petition of Phebe Gage, soldier's widow, 1758, . . 144
Petition of William Bell, soldier, 175S, . . . 145
Petition of Francis Knowlton, soldier, 1760, . . 145
Bounty to Reuben Hamblet, 1782, .... 145
Petition relative to tories and deserters, . . . 145
Petition relative to procuring soldiers, 1777, . . 146
Petition relative to procuring soldiers, 1779, . . 147
Petition relative to forming counties, 1769, . . . 148
Petition relative to a poll parish, 17S6, . . . 149
Vote relative to a poll parish, 1786, .... 150
Return of ratable polls, 1783, ..... 150
Petition relative to the observance of Sunday, 1784, . 150
Petition for a poll parish, 17S6, ..... 151
Petition to have a library incorporated, 1797, . . 152
PEMBROKE.
Introduction, . . . . .
Soldiers in First N. H. Regiment,
Petition for a guard against Indians, 1747, •
Petition for incorporation, 1757, ....
Consent of citizens of Buckstreet to same, 1758, .
Committee's report on foregoing, 1759,
Petition relative to ministerial affairs, 1763,
Action of the legislature on same,
Petition of Jonathan Dix for a ferry, 1774, .
Reference to plan of Merrimack river,
Inhabitants recommend Dix,
Measurements relative to said ferry,
Petition for ammunition, 1776, . . .
Relative to Captain McConnell, 1777,
Statement relative to a town-meeting, 1777,
Petition to be annexed to Col. Stickney's Regiment,
Soldier's discharge, 17S0, .....
Captain Nathaniel Head's return, 17S0,
Captain Nathaniel Head's return, 17S1,
153
153
153
154
lS l
lS i
I5 $
158
159
159
160
160, 161
161
163
164
164
165
GENERAL CONTENTS.
Petition relative to Samuel Daniell, 17S2, .
Petition relative to electing a representative, 1788,
Petition of Bryant and Bartlett for liberty to erect a toll
bridge, 1790,
Memorial concerning same, ....
Petition for authority to raise money by lottery to build
a bridge, 1791,
Petition of Green and Noyes for authority to erect a toll
bridge, 1791, .
Petition of Duncan and Livermoi e for authority to erect
atoll-bridge, 1791,
Petition for a lottery to build the bridge, 1791,
Remonstrance of citizens of Buckstreet against being
annexed to Allenstovvn, 1798,
Petition of citizens to be annexed to Allenstovvn, 179S
Measurements of sundry roads, ....
XI
165
166
166
167
167
168
169
169
170
172
*73
PETERBOROUGH.
Introduction, .......
Petition for help to build a fort,
Petition relative to Rev. John Morrison, 1 77 1 ,
Extract from minutes of presbytery, 1771,
Action of the presbytery, 1771,
Petition of William Scott relative to bounties, 1777,
Relative to the town's quota of soldiers, 1779,
Relative to Major Robert Wilson, 1778,
Statement of Daniel Russell, soldier, 17S0,
Statement relative to John Halfpenny, soldier, 1783,
Soldiers' orders, 17S4, .....
Petition of John Young, soldier, 17S5,
Return of ratable polls, 17S3, ....
Relative to Rev. John Morrison, 17S3,
Petition of selectmen relative to same,
Petition of selectmen relative to setting off the east part
of the town, 17S4, ......
Vote of town relative to same, ....
Petition relative to same, 17S5, . .". ■ .
Petition for authority to tax non-residents, .
Petition relative to a school, 17S8,
Petition of Sarson Belcher, relative to some land, i7^7»
Petition of sundry citizens to be set oft', 1790,
'74
I76
178
ISO
l8l
l8l
l82
l82
l82
IS3
184
184
185
l86
186
l87
188
189
I9O
PIERMONT.
Introduction, .....
Notice to proprietors of a meeting, 1765
Arms and ammunition wanted, 1776,
190
191
191
Xll
GENERAL CONTENTS.
Petition for an abatement of taxes, 17S3,
Inventory of polls and estates, ijSo-'Si*
Soldier's order, 1786, ....
Relative to the town's quota of soldiers, 17S6,
Report of committee on same,
Sundry persons annexed to Wentworth, 1786,
Soldier's certificate, 1786,
Petition of Parker Stevens for a ferry, 1788,
Petition for authority to tax non-residents, 1789,
Petition for the annexation of an island, 1794,
192
J 93
194
194
194
'95
*95
i95
196
197
PITTSFIELD.
Introduction, .....
Return of ratable polls, 1783,
Petition of Ebenezer Bean, soldier, 1791
197
198
198
PLAINFIELD.
Introduction, .......
Inventory of 1773, . . . .
Return of Capt. Russell's company, 1777, .
Plainfield men at Saratoga, 1777,
Plainfield Continental soldiers, ....
Petition of citizens of Meriden relative to the formation
of a military company, 1 78 1,
Names of members of said company, 1781,
Soldiers' orders, 1784, .....
Sundry inhabitants relative to taxes, 1785, .
Petition of Joseph Kimball for a ferry, 17S5,
Tax on Gov. Wentvvorth's rights, 1786,
Petition for a poll parish, 17S8,
Rank of sundry officers, 178S. ....
Relative to services in the Revolution, 1791,
Amos Stafford for an allowance, 1 795 5 soldier, .
Relative to glebe reservation, 1795,
Kimball & Gallup for authority to construct locks, 1796,
Petition for incorporation of a library, 1797,
199
199
199
200
201
202
203
203
204
205
205
206
207
207
208
209
209
209
PLAISTOW.
Introduction,
Relative to election of a representative, 1774,
Relative to Hugh Potter, 1775,
Petition for settlement of town lines, 177S,
Ezekiel Gile's resignation, 17S0,
Return of ratable polls, 1783,
Petition of John Pollard, soldier, 1760,
Petition of Matthew Bryant, soldier, 1763,
210
210
212
212
213
214
214
GENERAL CONTENTS.
Xlll
Soldier's order, 1778, . . .
Soldiers' receipts, 1783,
Enlistment, 1783,
Petition of Jesse Davis, soldier, 1783, .
Actionof legislature on same,
Relative to representative class, 1786, .
Vote relative to an issue of paper money, 1786,
Recommendations to the legislature, paper money,
Petition for appointment of Joseph Welch,
Relative to the claim of Allen's heirs, 1786,
214
215
215
216
218
218, 219
219
220
221
221
PLYMOUTH.
Introduction, ........ 222
Petition for a survey of the town, 1772, . . . 223
Relative to orders for raising soldiers, 1775, . . 225
Relative to election of representative, 1775, . . 226
Supplies furnished soldiers, 1 77S— '79, . . . 227
Resignation of Col. David Hobart, 1779, . . . 227
David Nevens, soldier, 1784, ..... 227
Soldier's widow's order, 1784, . • . . . . 228
Return of ratable polls, 1783, ..... 228
Petition for authority to raise money by lottery to build
a bridge, 1785, ....... 228
Consent of town to the taking off of the south-west part
thereof, 1791 , . . . . . . . 230
Petition of sundry citizens for a new town, 1791, . 230
Relative to a disputed town line, . . . 231, 232
Relative to setting off the south-west part of the town,
1792, .... . ...... 232
Petition for annexation of the territory in dispute, . 233
Petition of town agent for same, 1792, • . . 234
Petition for authority to elect a representative, 1799, . '235
PORTSMOUTH.
Introduction, .....
Patriotic offer of John Langdon,
Account of soldiers' wages, 1696, 170S,
Warning for a militia muster, 1697, .
Precept for election of assemblymen, 1693,
Return of assemblymen 1694, 1695,
Precept for election of assemblymen, 1697,
Return of assemblymen, 1698,
Relative to dealers in strong drink, 1701,
Relative to parochial matters, 1714,
Relative to taxes; complaint, 1716,
Relative to a purchased servant, 1721,
237^
236
237
238, 239
241
241
242
243
243
244
244
245
246
XIV
GENERAL CONTENTS.
Act relative to ministers' salaries, 1720,
Relative to parochial matters, 1723,
Vote of first parish, 1728, ....
Relative to a bridge over the mill-dam, 1732,
South parish petition, 1737,
Answer to committee of the first parish, 1737,
Statement relative to parish matters, 1737,
First parish rates, 1737,
South parish rates, 1737, ....
Action of the legislature on foregoing, 173S,
Petition of sundry inhabitants for the grant of a town
ship,
Relative to some French prisoners of war, 1745,
Petition of Benjamin Thomas, Louisbourg soldier,
Petition of Mary, wife of Col. Moore, 1745,
Petition of Dr. Joseph Pierce, Louisbourg soldier
Petition of Louisbourg soldiers, 1746,
Petition for the establishment of a workhouse, 1752,
Relative to a road through John Pickering's land,
Petition of Samuel Penhallow, soldier, 1759,
Objections to a bridge over Little Harbor, 1757, .
Petition of William RacklifF, soldier, 1759,
Complaint against market-men, 1765,
Petition for the erection of a lighthouse, 1765,
Action of the legislature on same,
Petition relative to stamp-act riot, 1766,
.Relative to hogs running at large,
Petition for the passage of an act to oblige tax-payers to
give in their property under oath, 1769, .
Petition relative to market, fire-wards, taverns, etc
rt J 77^
Statement relative to a market, etc., .
Protest against theatrical performances, 1773*
Relative to small-pox. 1773? ....
Pest-house regulations recommended, 1773'
Departure of Gov. Wentworth, 1775, .
Communication from committee of safety, i775> •
John Carpenter's statement, 1776,
Instructions to assemblymen. 1776,
Petition to have a price fixed on commodities, 1777?
Letter from John Langdon relative to the enemy at
Penobscot, 1 779" •••••«
Petition to send the ship Hampden to Penobscot,
Statement of matters in town, 1779,
Relative to town affairs, 1780, ....
Instructions to representatives, 17S0, .
Memorial of Maj. Sherburne, wounded soldier,
247
248
249
250
250
252
2 55
25 l
258
258
259
260
261
261
261
262
263
264
264
265
264
268
269
271
271
272
2 73
274
275
276
278
278
279
279
280
281
283
284
285
286
287
289
291
GENERAL CONTENTS.
XV
Simeon Fernald, soldier, 1 7S0, 291
Petition of Elizabeth Lewis, soldier's mother, 1782, . 292
Petition of Richard Sherman, soldier, 1782, . . 293
Soldier's order, 1782, ...... 293
Supplies to soldiers' families i78i-'83, . . 294, 295
Bounties to soldiers, ....... 295
Portsmouth men in Revolution, 1777— '8r , . . . 296
Vote on eighth article of confederation, 1783, . . 297
Petition of wardens of Queen's Chapel, 1785, . . 297
Relative to laying out a road, 1786, . . . . 298
Relative to duties on imported goods, 1787, . . . 299
Petition to have imported books exempted from duties, 300
Petition for authority to raise money by lottery to build
a market-house, 1790, ...... 301
Petition for incorporation of the first parish, 1791, . 302
Petition for incorporation of Episcopal church, 1791, . 302
Petition for incorporation of Universalist church, 1793, 303
Petition for authority to bridge Sagamore creek, 1797, 303
Piscataqua bridge, cost and revenue, 1798, . . 304
Petition for the incorporation of an aqueduct, 1797, . 305
Petition for the incorporation of St. John's Lodge,
F. & A. M., 305
RAYMOND.
Introduction, '......
Relative to locating a meeting-house, 1768,
Report of committee on same,
Vote of town relative to same, 1769-70,
Relative to the election of representative, 1774,
Account of supplies to soldiers, 17S2,
Certificate; Judith Wormwood,
Return of ratable polls, 1783,
Samuel Nay recommended for a magistrate,
307
308
309
3°9
310
3"
3"
3*i
312
RICHMOND.
Introduction, . . . . .
Certificate of soldiers mustered, 177S,
Joseph Blanchard's bounds of the town, 1752,
Richmond proprietors' names,
Justice of the peace chosen, 1776,
Petition for change of date of annual meeting,
Allowances to soldiers, 1778,
Soldier's order, 17S5, .....
Oliver Capron for a magistrate, 17S2,
Instructions to representative, 17S6,
Henry Ingalls for a magistrate, 17S5, .
312
313
3^3
3H
315
3^5
316
316
317
317
XVI
GENERAL CONTENTS.
Henry Ingalls's petition in favor of,
Quaker's petition to be exempted from military duty,
i788-' 9 6, . .
>tv<-! u* w\ ■
,<V RINDGE.
Introduction, .......
Petition of the proprietors for incorporation, 1751,
Petition for confirmation of the first grant, 1750, .
Relative to counterfeit money, 1776,
Petition of David Russell, soldier, 1778,
Petition of James Crombie, 1779,
Col. Enoch Hale's return, 1779,
Petition from the wife of Col. Nathan Hale, 1780,
Petition from Samuel Whiting, soldier, 1780,
Bounties paid to soldiers, . . .
Resignation of Col. Enoch Hale, 17S3,
Relative to Isaac Leeland, soldier, 1785,
Selectmen relative to soldier's pay, 1782,
Petition relative to soldier's pay, 17S3,
Petition for authority to elect a representative, 1785,
3i8
3*9
320
32i
3 2 4
326
326
326
3 2 7
3 2 7
328
328
329
33o
33°
33i
33 l
ROCHESTER.
Introduction,
Relative to ministerial affairs, 1737,
Action of legislature on foregoing,
Petition for a guard, 1744, .
Petition for representation, 1762,
Governor's 01-ders respecting the same,
Petition relative to Dover bridge, 1770,
Stephen Berry, Jr., soldier, 1748,
Soldier's order, 1778, ....
Maj. Tebbetts's petition, 1779,
Soldiers' orders, i7So-'S4,
Daniel Wingate's bounty, 1783, .
Petition of Jotham Nute, soldier, 17S9,
Petition relative to lumber act, paper money, etc.
Petition of Samuel Nute, soldier, 1790,
Petition of John Tanner, soldier, 1791,
Report of a committee on a division of the town, 1794
Petition for incorporation of the north-west parish
1798,
Petition for incorporation of Congregational Society,
Vote relative to a division of the town, 179S,
Petition from the north part to be set off, 1802, .
Consent of town to foregoing, ....
339-
332
333
334
334
335
337
337
338
338
339
34°
339
34°
34i
344
344
345
34 6
349
348
349
35i
GENERAL CONTENTS.
XV11
ROXBURY.
Introduction, ....
Petition for incorporation, 1796, .
Report of a committee on foregoing,
351
352
353
RUMNEY.
Introduction, .....
Statement of grievances, 1770,
Committee to procure arms and ammunition, 1776,
Petition for a supply of arms and ammunition,
Certificate of Peter Mahew, 1779,
Return of ratable polls, 1783,
Soldier's order, 1780,
Soldier's receipt, 1781,
Samuel Holland's land tax, 1785,
Petition for a magistrate, 17S5,
Petition for authority to raise money by special tax,
RYE.
Introduction, ......
Petition for a lottery, to drain a pond, 1756,
Lottery scheme, .....
Alleged illegal election, 1775,
Petition of Jonathan Philbrick, soldier, 1760,
Petition of Joseph Towle, soldier, 1761,
Petition of Samuel and Nicholas Marden, soldiers
Soldiers' enlistment, 1776,
Soldiers' orders, 17S1-84,
Petition of Peter Akerman, soldier, i777>
Rye men in 2d N. H. Battalion,
Relative to Continental soldiers, 1783, '
Samuel Jenness for a magistrate, 17S4,
Relative to a class for representative, 17S4,
Report of a committee on laying out a road,
Petition relative to military grievances, 1785,
354
354
355
356
356
357
357
358
358
358
359
360
360
361
362
363
3^3
3 6 3
3 6 4
3 6 4
365
365
365
367
368
369
369
SALEM.
Introduction, ......
Petition relative to formation of counties, 1769,
Petition relative to service in the army, 1778?
Soldiers' orders, 1778,
Petition of Aaron Copp, soldier, i779i
Salem man, in 2d N. II. Battalion,
Petition for incorporation, Baptist Society,
Return of ratable polls, 1 7S3,
ia
371
37 2
373
375
375
376
376
377
XV111
GENERAL CONTENTS.
Petition to have an election set aside, 1783,
Statement relative to said election,
Petition for the appointment of a field officer, 1784,
Petition Baptist Society for incorporation, 1797, .
377
37*
380
380
SALISBURY.
Introduction, .......
Salisbury men in First N. H. Regiment,
Action of legislature to guard the frontiers, 1754,
Petition of Samuel Scribner relative to his capture by
the Indians, 1759, ......
Vote relative to a division of lots, 1773,
Petition of Peter Bowen, soldier, 1755,
List of Capt. Ebenezer Webster's company, 1776,
Alarm list, and men in the army, 1776,
Dr. Joseph Bartlett chosen justice of the peace, 1779
Capt. Webster's return, 1777, . . . .
Return of men for abatement of poll tax,
Enlistment, 17S1, ......
Depositions relative to John Ash, soldier,
Account for bounties, men's names,
Petition for authority to erect a toll-bridge, 1793,
Report of a committee on same, 1794,
Petition for incorporation of Salisbury Academy,
Petition for incorporation of a toll-bridge, 1800,
381 i
382 1
383
3S4 I
385
385
386
387
387
387
388
388
388
389
39°
39°
392
SANBORNTON.
Introduction, .....
Justice of the peace wanted, 1770,
Petition in favor of David Sanborn, 1770,
Petition of Capt. Chase Taylor, soldier, 1778,
Petition of Thomas Lyfoid, soldier, 1780,
Soldier's order, 1792,
Petition of Solomon Copps for a ferry, 1781
Petition for a magistrate, 17S4, .
Number of ratable polls, 1 7S3,
More justices of the peace wanted, 1785,
Petition in favor of a paper currency, 17851
Petition for change of date of annual meeting,
Petition of Tilton Bennett for a ferry, 179S,
Petition for incorporation of a library, 1797?
Petition for incorporation of Sanbornton Musical
ciety, 1799, . . . .
Petition for incorporation of Baptist Society, 1802,
Vote of town relative to same,
So
392-
393
393
394
394
395
395. 39 6
397
398
399
399
400
401
402
402
403
404
GENERAL CONTENTS.
SANDOWN.
XIX
Introduction, .......
Petition relative to election of representative, 1776,
Return of ratable polls, 17S3, ...
Relative to line between Sandown and Chester,
Relative to militia affairs, 1785, .
Relative to paper currency, etc., 1786,
Petition from one of the Exeter insurgents, .
Petition from John Colby, soldier, 1761,
SANDWICH.
Introduction, ........
Sandwich and Moultonborough inventories, 1773,
Petition relative to Moses Page, soldier, 1778,
Petition to have a town-meeting legalized, 1780,
Petition relative to an illegal election, 1776,
Taxes on Exeter Academy lands, i78i-'82,
Petition for an issue of paper money, 1786,
Disputed line between this town and Tamworth, 1782,
Return of ratable polls, 1783, .
Relative to taxes on academy lands, 17S8, .
Statement relative to roads, bridges, etc., 1791, .
Non-resident's answer to foregoing, 1791, .
Petition for special tax to build roads, 1796,
Non-resident's remonstrance to same, .
SEABROOK.
Introduction, ........
Relative to payment of Rev. Samuel Perley, i77°>
Civil magistrate wanted, 1776, . . . . .
Petition relative to town's quota of soldier's, 1778,
Petition from sundry Quakers, 1784, .
Return of ratable polls, 17S3, .
I
SHELBURNE.
Introduction, ........
Statement of town affairs in 1786, . . •
SOMERSWORTH.
Introduction, ........
Act incorporating Somersworth as a parish, 1729?
Enlistments under Capt. Job Clements, 1748,
Soldiers' petitions, 1753, 1 757^ 1760, .
Petition for a separation from Dover, 1754,
Petition relative to mills on Salmon Falls river, 1760,
404
405
406
406
407
408
409
410
410
411
412
412
4*3
414
4^5
416
417
4i7
418
418
419
419
420
421
422
422.
4 2 3
423
424
424
425
426
427
428
428
429
XX
GENERAL CONTENTS.
Relative to incorporating the same, 1761,
Maj. Wentworth's account, 177S, ....
Soldiers' orders, Noble, Wentworth, Cromwell, and
Tate,
Somersworth men in 2d N. H. Battalion,
Return of Capt. James Carr s company,
Soldiers in 1775— '76, .......
SOUTH HAMPTON.
Introduction, .......
Town fast-day appointed, 1742, ....
Vote to settle Rev. William Parsons, 1742,
Vote relative to setting off the west part, 1748,
Order to impress Christopher Flanders, 1759,
Statement of several Crown Point soldiers, 1761,
Certificate of enlistment, 17S0, ....
Petition of sundry persons to be annexed to Newton
i77°>
Return of ratable polls. 1783, ....
Declination of Hon. Phillips White, 1783, .
Protest against the adoption of articles 8 and 9 of the
confederation, 1783, .....
Hon. Phillips White declines a senatorship,
Petition relative to a town line, 1794,
431
43i
432
433
433
433
434
434
435
436
437
438
439
439
440
440
440
441
441
SPRINGFIELD.
Introduction, ......
Relative to Wentworth's reservation,
Relative to Wentworth's reservation, 17S0,
Petition of settlers on same, 17S0,
Report of committee on same, 17S0,
Oliver Whipple's statement relative to same,
Samuel Gilman's statement relative to same,
Names of settlers, .....
Petition for a lot for a grist-mill, 17S1,
Petition relative to road through New London,
David Bean chosen justice of the peace, 1786,
Petition for incorporation, 1793,
STARK.
Introduction, ......
Petition for incorporation,
STEWARTSTOWN.
Introduction, .
Petition for leave to tax non-residents, 1795 5
Petition for amendment to act of incorporation,
442
442
444
445
446
446
447
448
448
449
45o
450
45i
452
45 2
453
454
GENERAL CONTENTS.
XXI
STODDARD.
Introduction, .....
Men in First N. H. Regiment, .
Warrant for town-meeting, 1776,
Protest against election of representative, 1776,
Disorder at a town-meeting, 1776,
Summons to Oliver Parker, 1776,
Proceedings of town committee of safety, 1776,
Recipe to make a whig (unique),
Petition of Oliver Parker, 1776,
Petition in favor of Oliver Parker, 1776,
Petition relative to a disputed line, 1776,
Petition relative to same,
Action of the legislature on same,
Relative to an illegal town-meeting, .
John Robbe, wounded soldier, 1778, .
Richard Richardson, soldier, 1782,
Soldier's order, 1784,
Return of ratable polls, 1783,
Petition for authority to levy a special tax to build a
meeting-house, etc., 1787,
Committee to locate the meeting-house,
Report of same, ....
Petition for authority to tax non-residents, 1794,
Relative to disputed line, 1798, .
STRATFORD.
Introduction, .....
Statement of town affairs,
Petition for incorporation, 1778, .
Inventory, .....
Relative to an attack by French and Indians
Petition for a guard, 17S0, .
Return of ratable polls, 1 7S3,
Soldier's order,
Relative to two redeemed captives, 1785?
Relative to Burnside's ferry, 1786,
Petition for a new county, 1791,
Petition for abatement of taxes,
Petition for grant of Governor's island, 1794?
STRATHAM.
Introduction, ......
Petition for grant of Wiggin's ferry, i74 3 > •
Warrant for a meeting to settle a minister, 1744;
Vote relative to ministerial affairs, 1747'
455
456
456
457
458
458
459
460
460
461
462
463
464
i%
466
467
467
468
468
469
469, 470
472
472
473
474
474
475
475
476
476
477
477
478
479
479
480
481
482
XXII
GENERAL CONTENTS.
John Leavitt, Jr., soldier, 1748,
Documents relative to Crown Point soldiers,
Statement relative to George March, 1776,
Petition for appointment of John Taylor, 1775
Petition relative to military affairs, 1777,
Soldier's order, 1781,
Accounts for supplies to soldiers, 1780,
Return of ratable polls, 1783,
Vote on the paper money question, 1786,
Paine Wingate for a magistrate, 1785,
Petition in favor of Nicholas Rawlings,
Committee chosen to present a plan for an issue of
paper money, 1786,
Report of said committtee,
SULLIVAN.
Introduction, ....
Petition for incorporation, 17S6,
Report of committee on foregoing,
Petition relative to boundaries, 1793,
Petition for grant of a township, 1798,
48
48I
48,
48 c
48*
4 8e
485
48J
487
488
489
489
490
490
49 *
492 j
492 1
493
SUNAPEE.
Introduction, ......
Petition for arms and ammunition, 1776,
Petition for incorporation, 17S1,
Statement of condition of inhabitants, 1782,
Soldiers' orders, .....
Certificate relative to Mrs. McBritton,
Statement of men in the Revolution,
Statement relative to service in the war, 1786,
Statement relative to soldiers' bounties, 1789,
Petition for a new town, 1789,
Remonstrance to same, 1790,
Vote of town of Lempster on same, 179I5
The town objects to same,
Petition to have corner bound of Goshen fixed,
494
494
495
496
497
498
498, 499
500
500
501
502
503
504
504
SHARON.
Introduction, ......
Petition for annexation to Peterborough, 1777?
Petition for incorporation, 17S6,
Petition for authority to levy taxes, 1787,
506
506
507
SURRY.
Introduction, .....
Petition of Lemuel Holmes, soldier, 1780,
508
5°9
GENERAL CONTENTS.
XX111
Petition of Thomas Dodge, soldier, 1783, . . . 510
Petition of Lemuel Holmes, soldier, . . . 510,511
Biographical sketch of Hon. L. Holmes, . . . 512
Relative to collection of beef for the army, . . 512
Return of ratable polls, 1 7S3, 513
Relative to date of annual meeting, 1784, . . . 513
Petition for authority to raise money by lottery to work
a silver mine, 1786, . . . . . . 514
Remonstrance against incorporating a Baptist Society,
1800, . . . ... . . . 515
Sundry persons consent to said incorporation, . . 515
SUTTON.
Introduction, ........ 516
Sutton soldiers, 1777, ...... 516
Assistance to soldier's family, 17S3, . . . 517
Petition for incorporation, 1783, .... 517
Benjamin Wadleigh for magistrate, 1786, . . . 518
Petition for the appointment of a committee to fix un-
certain bounds, 1794, . . . . 518, 519
SWANZEY.
Introduction, ......
Swanzey soldiers in First N. H. Regiment,
Fort Dummer committee, 1744,
Petition of Timothy Harvey, soldier, 1778,
Resignation of Lieut. Col. Joseph Hammond,
Relative to Moses Belding, soldier, 1778,
Relative to Noah Parkhurst, soldier, 1781,
Petition from several soldiers, 17S2,
Soldiers' orders, 1784, . . ,
Petition of Joseph Hammond, soldier, 1786
Statement concerning town affairs, 17S1,
Petition concerning Amasa Parker, soldier,
Winchester claims said Parker, 1786,
Parker's receipt for bounty,
Concerning Samuel Epperson, soldier,
Certificate of muster-master,
Certificate of Jonathan Woodcock, soldier,
Relative to bounties paid to soldiers,
Relative to Jonathan Wooley, soldier,
Bill for pasturing government cattle, 1789,
Vote on adopting articles of confederation,
Return of ratable polls, 1 7S3,
Relative to beef tax, 17S4,
Relative to an issue of paper money, 17S6,
520
521
522
522
523
524
524
524
526
527
528
5 2 9
529
529
5 2 9
53o
53i
532
532
533
533
533> 534
535
XXIV
GENERAL CONTENTS.
Petition of sundry citizens to be annexed to Marl-
borough, 1793,
Consent of town to same, ......
TAMWORTH.
Introduction, .......
Answer to Sandwich petition, representative, 1776,
Petition relative to state tax, 1778,
Return of ratable polls, 17S3,
Soldiers' orders, .....
Certificate of bounty to Jos. Ames,
Petition of selectmen, taxation, etc., 1793, .
Petition for a committee to settle disputed lines
Directions for perambulating the line between
town and Eaton, 1796, ....
Return of said perambulation, . . .
TEMPLE.
Introduction, ......
Vote relative to incorporation of the town, 1768,
Some inhabitants of Wilton join, ' .
Petition of sundry persons for separation, 176S,
Petition for incorporation, 1768.
Statement of proceedings of Wilton,
Relative to a road over the mountain, 1768,
Petition from Wilton, 176S,
Remonstrance from Wilton,
Petition of inhabitants for incorporation, 1768,
Relative to some New York tories, 1776,
Soldiers' receipts, 1777-' 78,
Petition of William Drury, soldier, 1778,
Petition of Robert Fletcher, soldier, 1779, ,.
Petition of Ezekiel Goodale, soldier, 17S0, .
Petition of inhabitants of Borland's farm, 1780,
Petition for a lottery to build glass-works, 1781,
Statement of the lottery managers, 1782,
Return of ratable polls, 17S3,
Petition for leave to elect a representative, 1784?
Petition relative to militia, 1785,
Petition for incorporation of a library,
this
536
537
538
538
54i
542
542, 543
543
543
544
545
546
547
548
548
548
549
55°
55°, 55i
55*
552
553
556
55^
557
557 a
558
559
560
5 6o > 5 6 4
562
564
555',
THORNTON.
Introduction, .....
Petition for a second grant, 1768,
List of grantees, ....
Town inventory, 1773,
Petition for arms and ammunition, 1776,
566
566
$1
568
?
GENERAL CONTENTS.
XXV
Petition for an incorporation, 1781,
Letter from John Pierce to Mr. Thornton, 1780,
Receipt of Jonathan Child, 17S1,
Return of ratable polls, 1783-85,
Certificate of George Patterson, soldier, 1793,
Statement relative to a dispute between this town
the town of Peeling, 1797, .
TUFTONBOROUGH .
Introduction, .......
Statement relative to town affairs, 1789,
Petition for abatement of soldier tax, 1794, .
Complaint against Woodbury Langdon, 1797,
UNITY.
Introduction, ... . .
Warrant for town-meeting, 1779,
Concerning Jonathan Pettingill, soldier,
Concerning state tax, 1786,
Concerning warning a man out of town, 17S6,
Oath of allegiance, 17S7, ....
Vote relative to the formation of Goshen, 1790,
Petition relative to dividing the town,
Vote relative to dividing the town,
Remonstrance to same, 1791,
Petition for a new town, 1794, .
Remonstrance to same,
Account for feeding soldiers, 1777,
Petition of Jos. Huntoon, soldier, 1779?
Relative to Richard Brown, soldier, .
WAKEFIELD.
Introduction, .....
Account of supplies furnished soldiers,
Soldiers* receipts, i7Si-'S2,
Petition of Peter Barter, 1782,
Soldiers' orders, ....
Petition for a repeal of the lumber act,
Relative to arrears of taxes, 1791,
Petition for incorporation of Union Library,
and
569
570
570
571
57*
572
573
573
574
575
576
576
577
578
579
580
581
582
583
583
584
585
586
586
587
588
588
, 589
. 589
589, 590
590
591
591
WALPOLE.
Introduction, 592
Records of proprietors' meeting, 1 736^38, . . 593 > 595
Names of original grantees, ..... 596
Petition for encouragement to manufacture linseed oil,
*773> • • • • 597
XXVI
GENERAL CONTENTS.
Petition in favor of Dr. Silas Baldwin, 1763,
Statement of county committee of safety, 1776,
Return of officers in the T6th Regiment, 1776,
Relative to the manufacture of fire-arms,
Relative to a sick soldier, 1777, .
Petition of Isaac Calcott, soldier, 1778,
Soldier's order, 17S0,
Petition for a lottery, 1780,
Statement of grievances,
Statement relative to Vermont controversy, 1781,
Petition for authority to erect a toll-bridge,
Soldiers' orders, 17S4,
Petition of Samuel Eastman, soldier, .
Petition of B. Bellows for a ferry, 1785,
Petition for help to clear the river channel,
Petition relative to formation of Langdon,
Petition of J. Bellows for a ferry, 1792,
Petition of John Nott, 1793,
WARNER.-
Introduction, . .
Record of proprietors' meeting, 1741,
Roil of Capt. Flood's company, .
Soldiers' deposition relative to back pay,
Return of soldiers enlisted, 1778,
Relative to election of representative, 1778,
Returns of soldiers, 1780,
Simon Ward, certificate of service, 1780,
William Lowell, wounded at Bunker Hill,
William Lowell, certificate of Maj. Ballard,
Soldier's order, . . . . .
Relative to allowance for soldiers, 17S6,
Relative to Dr. John Currier, 17S6,
Relative to locating a meeting-house, 1788,
Relative to Joseph Sawyer for justice of the peace
Relative to Zebulon Morrill for coroner,
Kearsarge Gore for a division, 179 2 ? •
Kearsarge Gore, annual meeting, 1799,
1788,
WARREN.
Introduction, .....
Tames Aiken, Bunker Hill soldier,
Return of ratable polls, 1783,
Petition relative to an election, 17S6, .
Petition for authority to tax non-residents,
1789,
GENERAL CONTENTS.
XXV11
WASHINGTON.
Introduction,
Petition for incorporation, 1776, .
Men in First N. H. Regiment, Revolution,
Petition relative to town bounds, 177S,
Soldiers credited to Washington, T782,
Petition of Samuel Lowell, soldier, 17S4,
Petition in favor of Dr. Harris, 1784, .
Petition relative to locating a meeting-house, 1786,
A portion of the town voted off, 1787,
Memorial relative to representative class,
Relative to sale of lands for taxes, 1790,
Relative to disputed line, 1793,
Relative to election of representative, 1794,
WE ARE.
Introduction, . . . .
Weare men in First N. H. Regiment, Revolution,
Petition of Thomas Kennedy, soldier, 1760,
Petition of Stockman Sweat, soldier, 1781,
Petition of Mary Sinclear, soldier's widow,
Record of a meeting in the east part of the town,
Petition for a parish in east part of the town, 1786,
Report of committee on same, ....
Return of ratable polls, 1783, ....
Relative to a grammar school, 1788, .
626
626
626
628
628
629
629
630
631
632
6 33
634
636
637
637
638
638
6 39
640
640
641
641
642
WENTWORTH.
Introduction, .......
Petition for a new grant of forfeited shares,
Statement relative to taxation, etc., 1777,
Return of ratable polls, 1783,
Petition for a represenatation, 1799,
Soldier's order, 1792, .....
Remonstrance to the incorporation of the Universalist
Society, 1801, ......
Petition for incorporation of same,
Another remonstrance, .....
642
642
6 43
644
644
645
645
647
647
WHITEFIELD.
Introduction,
Petition for a grant of the township, 1773,
Petition for incorporation, 1S04,
Action of the legislature on same,
648
649
649
650
XXV111
GENERAL CONTENTS.
WESTMORELAND.
Introduction, . ,
Men in First N. H. Regiment,
Petition for a grant from New Hampshire, 1750.
List of grantees, ....
Disputed boundaries, 1752,
Petition for arms and ammunition. 1776,
Jonathan Holton, Bennington soldier,
Col. Bellows's return of enlistments, 1779,
Ensign Aldrich's order, 1776,
Soldier's petition, 1779?
Petition relative to Moses Thompson, 1780,
Relative to Ezra Gates, soldier, 1780,
Petition of Dr. Heber Miller,
Relative to David Johnson, soldier, 1779,
Petition of David Johnson, 1780,
Petition of Lois Johnson, 1 7S6,
Statement of disturbances in town, 1781,
Memorial of some citizens against a union with Ver
mont, 1781, .....
Petition of James Simonds, soldier, 1781,
Soldiers in Capt. Stone's company, 1780,
Relative to collecting taxes, 1782,
Bounties to soldiers, 1783,
Relative to Nehemiah Pierce, soldier, .
Recommendations for magistrates, 17S4,
Josiah Willard, relative to a ferry, 1785,
Solomon Rollins, relative to a ferry, 17S5,
Micah Reed, relative to a ferry, 17S5,
Relative to a horse lost in the service, 1785,
Isaac Butterfield, relative to a ferry, 17S5,
Ebenezer Britton recommended for major,
Vote on paper-money question, 1786,
Certificate of nails made, 1 791,
Certificate of nails made, 1792,
John Kathan, for a ferry, 1799,
Josiah Marsh, for a ferry, 1799, •
Petition for the incorporation of the Baptist Society,
1800,
WILTON.
Introduction, . ....
Men in First N. H. Regiment,
Petition relative to county bounds, 1769,
Petition relative to bridge over Souhegan river,
Account of provisions sent to Cambridge, 1775,
Objections to articles of confederation, 177S,
r
GENERAL CONTENTS.
XXIX
Wilton soldiers, 1776,
Jonathan Gray, Bunker Hill soldier, .
Petition for town representation, 17S0,
Justice of the peace wanted, 17S3,
Recommendations for field officers,
Vote relative to issuing paper money, 1786,
Statement relative to militia affairs, 1786,
Statement relative to school matters, 1788,
Certificates relative to same, 1788,
WINCHESTER.
Introduction, .....
Men in First N. H. Regiment, .
Relative to the original grantees, 1753,
Col. Samuel Ashley's resignation, 1779,
Relative to an omission in return of soldiers
Relative to fish in Ashuclot river, 17S4,
Petition to be restored to citizenship, 1785,
Relative to fish in Ashuelot river, 1786-88,
Petition for a lottery, 1795,
WINDHAM.
Introduction, .....
Men in First N. H. Regiment, .
Relative to province taxes, 1743,
Men assessed in the Methuen and Dracut district,
Petition for incorporation, 1750,
Relative to an illegal election, 1768,
Certificate of publication of warrant, .
Statement of Samuel Barr,
Warrant for town-meeting, 1768,
Constable's statement,
Remonstrance to foregoing petition,
Several petitioners recant
Statements of Hugh Graham and others,
Relative to an astronomical instrument,
Letter from James Betton, 1776,
Instructions to James Betton, 1776,
Petition for a lottery, 1777,
Relative to a disputed line, Salem, 17S2,
Remonstrance to taking oath of allegiance,
Windham soldiers, ' 777 _ '7^,
John Simson, Bunker Hill soldier,
Dr. Thorn's certificate,
James Wilson, soldier,
Petition for enlargement of the town, 1782,
Instructions to representative, 17S3,
681
681
682
683
683
683
684
684
686
687
687
6S8
689
689
690
690
692, 693
6 93
695
695
%
697
697
699
699
700
.700
700
7°3
704
705
705
706
707
709
709
710
711
711
712
712
7*3
XXX
GENERAL CONTENTS.
Vote on eighth article of confederation, 1783,
Petition for authority to elect representative,
More effective Sunday laws wanted,
James Betton for a magistrate, 17S4, .
Complaint concerning meeting-house, 1791,
Account of James Betton's travelling expenses,
WINDSOR.
Introduction, . . .
Petition for authority to tax non-residents,
Petition for incorporation, 1790,
Report of committee on same,
List of voters in Campbell's Gore, 1791,
Remonstrance of sundry citizens,
Petition for authority to levy taxes, 1793,
Petition for incorporation, 1798,
714
7*4
716
718
719
7 2 3
723
724, 726
727
728
729
729
73o
..1
WOLFEBOROUGH.
Introduction, . . . . .
Minutes of laying out a road from Wolfeborough to
Plymouth, .......
Account of taxes on Gov. Wentworth's estate,
Men in the army, 1776, .....
James Wiggin, soldier, 17S0, ....
Soldier's order, .......
Petition of Reuben Libbey, soldier, 1786, .
Petition relative to a new town, 1785,
Report of a committee on same,
Remonstrance to same, 17S6, ....
Petition to be annexed to Ossipee, 1795,
Petition from Wolfeborough Addition, 1800,
Consent of non-resident proprietors, .
Certificate of amount of land taxed, 1800, . - .
Dates of incorporation, etc., of towns not mentioned
in the three volumes, .....
List of towns in the state of Vermont granted by Gov
Went worth, .......
735
APPENDIX.
Letter from Sabastian Ralle, 17 16,
Letter from Gov. John Belcher concerning line be
tween New Hampshire and Massachusetts, i733»
Letter from Gov. Francis Bernard concerning same,
Theodore Atkinson concerning same, 1767,
Dover militia officers, i73i-*32, ....
Soldier's order, 1775,
73°
731
732
733
733
734
734
737
73
73
740
741
742
742
745
746
753
756
75^
757
757
7
GENERAL CONTENTS. XXXI
Piermont drafted men, 1777, 758
Lloyd's Hills, 758
Documents relating to Vermont controversy, . . 760
Proceedings of committee meeting at Hanover, . . 762
Report of committee, 1777, 764
Statement of Jonathan Chase relative to Gen. Sulli-
van's opinion, 1 78 1, . . . . . . 765
Census of New Hampshire in detail, 1790, . . . 767"
Index to names of towns, places, etc., . . . 775
Index to names of persons, ..... 781
EARLY TOWN PAPERS
NOTE.
The documents in this volume were copied from the manuscripts in
Vols. VIII, IX, X, and XI, "Town Papers," collection of 1880, and
Vols. Ill and IV, "Indian and French Wars, and Revolutionary Pa-
pers," in the office of the secretary of state.
The numbers in brackets at the commencement of each article indi-
cate the volume and page where the original may be found.
ERRATA.
Page 127, 7th line from top, for 1773, read 1778.
133, 1 8th line from bottom, for 1882, read 1782.
241, 9th line from bottom, for 1793, read 1693.
264, bottom line, for 1856, read 1756.
339, 2d line from top, insert Tebbits after Ebenezer.
393, 17th line from top, read Daniel Sanborn instead of David.
'
NEW HAMPSHIRE
Early. Town Papers.
NEW LONDON.
The largest part of the territory now contained in this
town was granted by the Masonian proprietors, July 7, 1773,
to Jonas Minot and others, as an addition to the Alexandria
grant, previously made by the same proprietors. The ter-
ritory had been known by the name of Heidleburg for some
years previous to this grant, and was subsequently so
called by some ; although in all official documents which
I have seen, it is designated Alexandria Addition, from the
date of the grant until it was incorporated June 25, 1779,
by its present name. It was surveyed by Jeremiah Page
prior to the grant (Vol. XI, p. 10), and granted in accord-
ance with a plan by him made. The first meeting under
the incorporation was called by Samuel Messer, and held
Aug. 3, 1779.
June 19, 1793, lots numbered from 19 to 25, inclusive, in
the north-west part of Kearsarge Gore, were annexed to
New London.
The town has been enlarged by the addition of territory
taken from Wendell (Sunapee) as follows : A portion taken
by an act approved Dec. 11, 1804, and another June 19,
18 1 7.
The northerly part was severed by an act approved June
18, 1807, combined with a portion of Kearsarge Gore, and
incorporated into the town of Wilmot.
2 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[8— i] [Record of Masonian Grant, 1773. ~\
Province of New Hampshire —
At a meeting of the Proprietors of the lands purchased of
John Tufton Mason Esq 1 " in New Hampshire, held at Ports-
mouth on the 7 th day of July 1773 —
Voted also that there be and hereby is granted unto the be-
forenamed Jonas Minott Jonathan Bagley William Bailey John
Talford, William Talford, Matthew Thornton, .Robert Mc-
Murphy Daniel Rindge and Joshua Talford, on the Terms,
Conditions, Limitations & Reservations herein after exprest —
a certain tract of land Situate in the County of Hillsborough
and province of New Hampshire, bounded as follows, viz' be-
gining at the Southwesterly Corner of Alexandria aforesaid, on
the Patent line and running on said Patent line to Fishersfield
Corner, in great Sunipe Pond, from thence East on the north-
erly Side line of Fishersfield, four hundred Seventy two rods,
to Parrys Town Corner, then north eighty five degrees east,
about four miles to a Beach tree marked on Parrys town
line ; from thence north thirty nine degrees east, about Sixteen
hundred and Seventy two rods, to a Beach tree marked in
alexandria Corner ; from thence north twelve degrees West,
to the Patent line aforementioned, on the Westerly Side of
said alexandria — To have and to hold to the said Minot his
Heirs and assigns for ever, the one moiety of said land,
and to the said Jonathan Bagley, William Bailey, John Tal-
ford, William Talford, Mathew Thornton, Robert M c Murphy ?
Daniel Rindge And Joshua Talford, and to their respective
Heirs and assigns for ever, the other Moiety, thereof ac-
cording to their Respective Rights and Shares in said alex-
andria upon the following Terms Conditions, Limitations, and
Reservations, that is to Say — That one third part of said land
is hereby reserved to the said Grantors, their Heirs and Assigns
for ever, Viz 1 Lot N° 74, N° 40, N° 12S, N° 38 N° 49, N° 122,
N° 24, N° 94, N° 119, N° 121, N° 70, N° 95, N° 58, N° 10, N°
50, N° 36, N° 55 N° 67, N° 136, N° 126 N° 3, N° S4, N° 125,
N° 17 N° 42, N° 29, N° 61, N° 90, N° iS, N° 37, N° 83, N° 102
N° 120 N°43 N° 92 N° 1 iS, N° 4, N° 106 N° 19 N° 14, N°
71, N° 7, N° 15 N° 39, N° 46 — and two lots in the plan re-
turned of said tract, a third of which said two lots is reserved
to said Grantors, and belongs to their said third part of said
land, besides the particular lotts before-mentioned, which said
reserved third part shall be held by said Grantors, free from all
Taxes and charges whatever, that may arise Concerning the
roads, buildings, Ministry Settlements and other publick affairs
NEW LONDON. 3
whatever, untill the Grantors lands Shall be improved, and
then only the particular lott so improved, shall be liable —
Copy of Record
Attest Geo : Jaffrey Prop" CI
[8-2] [Petition for Incorporation, 1778. ~]
I
To the Hono 11 Councel and house of Representives Convened
at Exeter the Secont Wednesday of march Next
j
The humble Portion of a number of inhabetants of a Tract
(of land in the State of Newhampshire Known by the name of
Alaxandria addition or newlondon Sitivat Between old Alax-
Iander and fishers field and Parrytown : humbly Sheweth that
your Portisherners Labour under a Grat Disadvantage Being
Joyined to Old Alaxander on the accont of Tax Sation the
Distance being Seven or Eight miles threw the Woods whare
there is no Road, nor Cannot be aney Easley had the Ground
Being so- Ruff and mountanies, and your Portisherners being
Wholy Deprived of anney Privilege of assessing ower Selves
as Selectmen Can be Expected in the Sitevation we are in at
Present among us Tharefore your Portisherners Prayer is that
we may be incorporated into a Town and have the Same Privi-
leges that other Towns in this State have your Portisherners
1 ar willing Cheerefully to Pay ower Equill Porpotion of Taxes
with aney other Town in this State Provided we are in Ca-
pasety to asses ower Selves and like wise your Portisherners at
Present Laboure under Grat Disadvantages Concurning Clear-
ing and Repairing highways among us, as your Portisherner in
Duty Bound Doth Ever Pray —
January y" 22 : 1779 —
Samuel Messer Ephraim Gile
Nathan Goodwin Jedidiah Jewett
Noah Kidder Israel Huntting
James Lam Jacob Hadley
Ebn r Huntting Nathaniel Stevins
Benj a Eastman
[In H. of Rep., March 10, 1779, a hearing was ordered
for next session. The town was incorporated June 25,
1 779— Ed.]
4 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[8~3] \_yonas Minot, relative to Taxes, I/80.']
To the Hon'ble Counsel and House of Representatives for the
state of Nevvhampshire : In Generall Court Convened att
Exeter on Wedensday the Ninth Day of February in the year
of our Lord 1780 —
the Petetion of Jonas Minot of Concord in the County of
Middlesex and State of the Massachusetts who humbly Shew-
eth, that the State and Contenentall Tax, on the Town of New-
london, in this State, for the year 1779 was £641-13-4, that
your Petitioner acording to his Interest in Said Newlondon
Should Not Pay one fifth of the above Said Sum owning Not
one third of the Land in Said Town of Newlondon which s d
Lays in the State of Nature Except Small Improvements on
one Lot that your Petitioner is Assessed toward the above s d
Sum £268-6-2 — furthermore that your Petetioner is Assessed to
the State and Contenental Tax in the Township of Alexandria
in this wState for ye year 1779 — for his unimproved Lands More
than twenty Percent, for the Surae total those Lands we are
Aprised at, by the Select Men of S fl Alexandria under their
hand in February AD 177S —
your Petetioner. although Taxt Something in the Same man-
ner in boath Said Townships, for the year 1777 and 17781 find-
ing the Expence of a Redress — Grate, and in Expectation, of
No Such Agreviance in Future Submitted. & Paid the whole
of the Taxes for those two years — your Petetioner being Sensa-
ble at that Time that the Assessers for those Townships had
assessed for much Larger Sums than they had Precept for — and
with an Intent as one of those Assessers him Self Declared to
Trim up the Non resident Proprietors — further more the In-
habitants of Said Newlondon having Specialy Bargained and
agreed to pay the High way Tax, on your Petitioners Land
untill improved for which your Petetioner Paid them in Lands —
yet they have Taxt your Petitioner towards the Highways in
S d Town for the year 1779 in the Sum of £125-5-8 your Peti-
tioner in this Situation finding him Self to have Voice in the
Proceedings of those Towns & Driven to Dispare of any other
Remedy. Prays this Honourable Court would Take his Case
into Consideration : and in their wisdom Give order that his
Lands in those Townships May Not be Sold for those Taxes
untill he is heard in Court on the Premises your Petetioner as
In Duty Bound Shall Ever Pray
Jonas Minot
NEW LONDON.
5
[8-4] [Relative to a Road from Kearsarge Gore to Pro-
tectworth, 1784.]
New London May 31 st 1784
To the Honorable, the General Court of New Hampsheir, your
Petitiners the Inhabitants of New London
Humbly Sheweth that we have Receiv d a Request from the
Select men of Protect worth, Reqtiireing of us that we within
Eighteen Days from the Date of their Request, do Lay out Si,
Cut & Repair a road from Keirsearge Gore through the North-
erly Part of New London to Protectworth, being about four
miles, & in Case of our Neglecting to do the Same, do Declare
that they Shall Send to the County of Hillsborough, & that they
will Send a Commite to Lay out a Road on our Cost, & this
Place where they do Require a Road bein Remote from any of
the Inhabitants of this town, and the Land Very Broken, the
Cost of a Road must be Great, which the Inhabitants of this
town are Not able at Present to do without other Assistance,
we Being but thirty two Poles of the Inhabitants Paying Pole
tax for them Selves, & the Greatest Part of us in Low Circum-
stance, their Not being one fourth Part of the Land in this
town, owned by the Inhabitants, and also their Not being any
Land Left for Road, in the Laying out of this town, adds to
our Dificultys —
For which Reasons we your Petitioners Humbly Pray, your
Honours, that we may be Impowered to tax the wild Land of
the Non Residants, Lying in this town, with ourSelves, for the
Purchasing of Land for Roads, that are Nessasary in this town,
& also for the Opening and Repairing of the above mentioned
Road, Requested by the Select men of Protectworth, which
Request if your Honours Shall See Cause to Grant you will
favor your Humble Petitioners
Levi Harvey
Eben r Huntting
John Adams Juner
James Brocklebank
John Ardway
Ezekiel Knowlton
Penuel Everett
Eliphalet Gay
Levi Everett
Nathanael Everitt
Joseph Ardway
Sam 1 Brockelbank
John morgan
Ephraim Gile
John Astens
David Astens
Nathan Goodwin
Abner Whittier
Peter Sargent
Eben r Sargent
Tohomas Whitier
Anthony Sergent
Samuel messer
Benjamin Adams
John Dole
How Messer
1
6 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[8-5~] [ Vote for Paper Money. ~\
to the General Cort of the State of New Hampshier Holden at
Exeter on the first wensday of this instent
I would begg Leave to in forme your Honours that the in-
habitants of New London have voted to have paper money
made at a metting held on the 31 st of Augst Last that was Noti-
fied for that purpos —
witnes my hand —
Levi Harvey town Clark
New London Sep* 2 d 1786
[8-6~\ \_Petition for Civil Magistrate, 1787. .]
State of Newhampshier Hillsbourough. ss
To His Exelency the President and Council met at Concord the
first wenday of June Next: 1787 Convean d
Humbly Shueth that ware has we are Disteute of a Justice of
the Peace in this Place begs Leave to ask the favor that you
wod in your wisdom and Prudence Comishon Lieu* Levi Har-
vey in that office So that the good order of Peace may be keep
up and the athority of this State be not Abrogaded, for which
we your Humble Petitionors are in Duty Ever bound to pray
for
Newlondon Aprill 13 th 1787
Eben r Shepard
Levi Everett
Israel Slack
Penuel Everett
David Smith
Eliphalet Gay
Ezekiel Knowlton
Nathanael Everitt
Jonathan Herrick
Joseph Colby
William Hutchins
John Adams
Jonathan Everitt
Jonathan Adams
Benjamin Adams
Solomon Adams
John Adams juner
Thomas Burpe
Asa Burpe
John Dole
James How Messer
Samuel Messer
James Brocklebank
Peter Sargent
Sam 11 Brockelbank
Nathan Goodwin
Jedidiah Jewett
Abner Whittier
Anthony Sargent
John morgan
Ephraim Gile
Sam 1 Brockelbank
Jun'
[8-7] [Petition for authority to tax Non- Residents, I?p0.~]
To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the
State of New hampshire at Concord in Said State in General
Court Convened
[8-$] [ Vote relative to annexing a fart of Kearsarge
Gore, 1792.]
Newlondon Sept 3 rd 1792
this may Sertify that at A town meeting held this Day in
Said town by A Request of A Nomber of inhabetance of Kear-
sarge Gore and persenting the Substance of A petition and the
NEW LONDON. 7
we your petitioners inhabitants of the town of New London
in Said State hereby beggs leave to aquaint your honours that
the taxes in this town are Verey heavy — and perticulery to the
Roads their being three main roads throw this town from the
Country above us which Contains Sixteen miles Exclusive of
our Cross roads where their is a Considerable of traviling — the
roads being So bad that it is Dangerous for teams to pass we
are Commanded by the publick to make them pasable forth with
which we are not able to Do at present we would also begg
Leave to inform your Honours that three quarters of the Land
in this town is owned by Nonresident which pays no taxes to
the Roads we your humble petitioners pray that your Honours
would remove or at Least helpe our Dificulties by Empowering
us to Lay a tax on the Lands of Nonresidents in this town of
One penny per acre yearly During the terme of three years to
repair the roads in S d town which if it Shall be Consistant with
your honours to do your humble petitioners as in Duty bound
Shall ever pray
New London June 9 th 1790
Sam 1 Brockelbank Asa Burpe Thomas Burpee
John morgan Nathaniel S messer John Brocklebank
Ephraim Gile John Adams juner Eben r Huntting
James Lamb James Brocklebank Zebedee Hayse
Nathan Goodwin Jonathan Everet Joseph Colby
Jedidiah Jewett John Adams Solomen Admans
Thomas Currier Jonathan Adams Rob* Knowlton
Ebenezer Sargent Benjamin Adams Eliphalet Gay
iuner Thomas Burpe : J r Penuel Everett
Jonathan Herrick Peter Sargent John Lyon
Josiah Davis Peter Sargent Juner Israel Huntting
Anthony Sargent Amasa Sargent Sam 11 How Messer
John Morgan Jun r Thomas Pick John Slack
Eben r Sargent John Dole
[Authority was granted to tax non-resident lands for the
purpose of repairing highways. — Ed.]
8 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
order of the general Coart there on, to have part of the Said
Kearsarge Goar incorperated with Newlondon, there fore
Voted to Receve Seven Lots of the westerly Corner of Said
Goar to Newlondon, witnes my hand —
Levi Harvey town Clerk for
Newlondon
[By an act passed June 19, 1793, a portion of Kearsarge
Gore was annexed to this town. — Ed.]
[8—9]. [Relative to place of holding Proprietors' Meet-
ings, I795>~\
To the Honourable Senate and House of Representatives of the
State of New Hampshire in General Court conveaned at
Concord.
we your petitioners Select Men of New-London in said State ;
for and in behalf of said Town Humbly shueth that the inhab-
itants of said Town do Labour under many and great disadvan-
tages by reason of the extent of the proprietors Law so called.
in as much as it impowers the Proprietors of Land to hold their
meetings any where they please, whereby the inhabitence of
this Town have suffered much of late ; by reason of A proprie-
tors meeting ; the same being held sixty Miles distant from this
Town, and at such a season of the year which rendered it ex-
tremely dificult for the inhabitance to attend, which practice is
verry detremental to the inhabitence of New-Towns.
Therefore we your Petitioners humbly pray your honors, will
take our case under your wise consideration and grant us some
relief by altering or amending said Law so far as to direct s d
proprietors to hold their meetings in filter, in such Towns,
where sd proprietors Lands lye :
or grant such relief as you in your wisdom shall think fit
as your Petitioners in duty bound shall ever pray.
New-London December 14th 1795
Levi Everett
Peter Sargent J- Select-
1
Rob 4 Knowlton ) men
[The petitioners were granted leave to withdraw. — Ed.]
i
NEW LONDON.
[8-10] [Petition relative to Proprietary Affairs, 1796.]
New London May 27 th 1796
To the Honorable Senate and house of Representatives of the
State of New Hampshire in General Court to be convened at
Exeter on Wednesday the first day of June next
humble Sheweth that whereas the Selectmen of the Town of
New London exhibited a petition to the General Court of Said
State last Session Setting - forth their grievances whereby they
have Suffered much of late by the operation of a perticular law
called the proprietor's act or law which grants the proprietor's
liberty to whole! meetings in any part of Said State — We your
Humble petitioners renewedly request that the Prayer of Said
petition may be granted or that part of Said law may be re-
pealed whereby the Said Proprietors are impowered to tax all
and Every lot of Land in the respective towns in Said state to
defray proprietors accompts and charges or grant your petition-
ers relief in some other way as you in your wisdom shall think
proper. And we in duty bound shall ever pray
Levi Harvey
Levi Everett
Select
Men
Anthony Sargent
Tho 8 Pike
W m Clay
Sam 11 Brocklebank
Sam 11 Messer
Jo 8 Messer
Peter Sargent
Jonathan Everett
Peter Sargent J r
Eliphalet Gay
William Gay
Joseph Colby
John Slack
Benj a Woodbery
Josiah Brown
Jeremiah Pingre
Amasa Sargent
John Sargent
Robert Knoulton
Eben r Sargent
John Emery
John Morgan
Jedediah Juet
Thomas Currier
Nathan Goodwin
Zaccheus Messer
Calven Burpe
thomas Burpe
Aase Burpe
Nathaniel meser
Ebenz p Sargent
Jonathan Herrick
Eben r Hunting
Zebedy Hayse
Moses Adams
John Adams
Solomon Adams
Jonathan Adams
James Brocklebank
John Dole
James Coleby
Caleb Seager
Sam 11 Morgan
Jonathan Harvey
Jo 8 Harvey
NEW MARKET.
The territory now contained in this town and in South
New Market was severed from Exeter, December 15, 1727,
10 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
and incorporated as a parish by the name of " New-
Market."
By this act of incorporation, Edward Hall, Andrew Glid-
den, and William Perkins, Jr., were appointed selectmen to
act until others were elected.
An additional act, granting full town privileges, includ-
ing representation in the general assembly, was passed Au-
gust 26, 1737.
By an act passed December 28, 1805, tne boundary line
of the town was extended to the " Ship's channel in the
centre" of Exeter river, except where the bridge was. At
that place it was to extend to the draw. This act was re-
pealed June 17, 1807.
The north line of the town was established by an act
passed June 19, 18 18. (See Vol. XII, page 390.)
June 27, 1849, tne town was divided by a line running
nearly east and west, and the southerly portion incorporated
into a town named " South New Market."
December 17, 1852, the farm of Wm. Lyford was severed
from South New Market, and annexed to New Market.
July 2, 1870, some territory was severed from Durham,
and annexed to this town.
[8-1 2] [ Case of Assault, 1731^
Pro : of N Hamp
To any or Either of His Majestys Justices of The Peace for
the Said Province
Edward Hilton of the Parish of New-Market, in The Town
of Exeter, in the Province of New-Hampshire aforesaid yeoman
Complaineth (In His Maj ty8 behalf)
That he the Said Edw d Hilton, being in the Peace of our
Sovereign Lord y e King, and about his lawful occasions, at
New-Market aforesaid, on monday the twenty eighth day of
the last month, was Put in Great fear (even of his life) by the
threatening, Speeches, and actual attempts made against him
with force & arms, by a negro man (of the Parish Town &
Province afores d ) Called Sambo, who was formerly a Servant
to Andrew Glidden dece d , & belongs now to the Widdow of
Said Glidden, or her son in law Joseph Smith of Said New
Market husbandman : The Said Sambo at the time and in The
NEW MARKET. II
Parish aforesaid, holding an ax in his hands of y e value of 12/
Struck at the Complanant a ful blow with the Said ax, andpro-
phanly Swore, that he the Said Sambo would split out the
brains of the Complainant, and bury him in the Swamp : and
other Enormitys the Said Sambo then & there did, contrary to
the Peace of our Sovereign Lord the King his Crown and dig-
nity and to the law or laws, in Such cases made and Provided.
and pleadable in this Province. Wherefore the Said Edw d Hil-
ton Prays Process against the Said Sambo, and that the Said
Sambo may be dealt with as to law and Justice doth appertain —
In Witness whereof the Said Edw d Hilton hath hereunto set his
hand the first day of January 1730/31. —
Edward Hilton
Pro: N. Plamp'Jan^ 5 th 1730 th Ed w d Hilton made oath to
the truth of y e foregoing Complaint
It is Considerd that for prophane Swearing the S d Sambo :
pay a fine of ten Shillings according to law, & that for his
threatening & Attempts ag st Edw d Hilton He procure 2 Suretis
to recognise in y e Sum of io£ to be of good behaviour til y e
next q r Sessions of y e peace and pay Costs of Court & Stand
committed til Sentence perform'd Mem Jos: Smith y e Master
of The S d Sambo Paid y e line of 10 / w ch I sent by Edw d Hilton
to y e select men of N Market for their Poor he likewise paid
Costs taxed at 48 /3 d and he and Jos : Glidden recognised ac-
cording to order in order to be certified to y° Court of Gen 11
Quart' Sessions of the peace next to be holden at Exeter.
RWJ'P-
This was done at a Court held before R W Esq 1 " Just Peace
on tuesday y e 5 th of Jan 1 730/1 at y e House of mr Henry Sher-
burn Taverner in Portsm
[ Warrant for the arrest of Sambo, ,]
Pro: ofN— Hamp r
To the Sheriff of the Said Province of New-
Hamp r His Under Sheriff* or Deputy or To
Either of the Constables of Exeter Greet-
ing—
You or Either of you are hereby required in His Majestys
name forthwith on receipt hereof to apprehend the body of a
12 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
certain negro man call'd Sambo belonging to y*Parish of New-
market in the Town of Exeter in the Province aforesaid who
was formerly a servant to And w Glidden, dec d and belongs now
to the widow of the S d Glidden or her son in law Joseph Smith
of the Parish Town and Province aforesaid husbandman if the
Said Sambo may be found within your Precincts, and him
bring before me or some other of His Majestys Justices of the
Peace within the s d Province to Answer to the Complaint
of Edw d Hilton of the Parish of New-Market in the Town of
Exeter in the Province of New Hamp r aforesaid yeoman,
(which Complaint under the hand of the Said Edward Hilton,
is hereunto annex'd) and to be dealt with (on the S d Com-
plaint) as to law and Justice doth appertain, hereof fail not,
and make due return of this warrant with yo r doings thereon,
for which this Shall be yo r Sufficient authority. Given under
my hand and Seal at Portsm the first day of January 1730/31.
annoq R ni R is Georgii secundi quarto —
Rich d Waldron Just : Peace
You are alike required to Summon John M c math of New
Market aforesaid mariner, and Joseph Smart of Dover w th in the
Province afores d husbandman to be present as Witnesses at the
Tryal of the said Sambo and hereof they may not fail on the pain
& penalty s that may fall thereon Jan : 1 : 1730/31
R Waldron J 4 P ac
Janurey 5 th 1730/31 Pursuant to the within warrant I have
taken the body of s d Sambo
per me Peter Grely und r Shereff
[8-13] [^Petition relative to an Election, iy^."]
To the Hon blc the House of Representatives for the Province of
New Hampshire met in General Assembly the 5 th Day of
June 1745
The Humble Petition of Sundry of the Freeholders of the
Parish of New Market in Said Province Shews —
That y e Freeholders of the said Parish being Intitled to the
Privilege of Sending a Representative to the General Assembly
met on the 3 rd Instant (Pursuant to a precept Issued according
to Custom) in order to make Choice of a Suitable Person for
that purpose —
That upon Counting the Votes it appeared they Exceeded the
Number of Voters present which Render' d it Probable there
NEW MARKET
13
was some unfair practice in the proceedings, & made it Doubt-
ful whether the Person Said to be Elected, was Really so, upon
which Seven at Least of the said Freeholders Desired the Mat-
ter might be Decided by the Poll (as the Law in Such Cases
provides) which the Moderator (Joseph Hall Esq r ) utterly Re-
fused & Denied & thereupon Dissolved the Meeting taking the
matter in Doubt to be as he Declared it without giving the Dis-
satisfyed Persons the least Satisfaction —
That 'your Petition" Conceive the Freedom of Elections, is
the foundation of the Rights of the People, & a fundamental
Principle in the form of Government they are under, on which
freedom every Instance of Partiality is an Infringement, & the
very Suggestion thereof ought to awaken a Judicature subsist-
ing only by that freedom, to Examine whether Such Suggest-
ions are true or false — Wherefore your Petioners pray that this
Hon blc House will take Cognizance of the premises Examine &
Determine as the truth of the facts & the Merits of the Cause
Requires & in order thereto to Order the usual & necessary pro-
cess with all Convenient Speed — and your Petioners as in Duty
bound shall ever pray &c —
Israel Gilman Nathaniel Piper
Robert Barber Jonathan Bachelder
Nathaniel peas Robart Pike
Edwrd Richard Clark
Ezekiel Sanborn Joseph Gilmon
Joseph Sinclare
[The man elected was Thomas Young. The election was
declared illegal by the H. of Rep., June 12, 1745, a new
precept issued, and Capt. Israel Gilman chosen and sworn
in. — Ed.]
[7-18] [Petition for a Ferry over Exeter River, lyjO.']
To His Excellency Benning Wentworth Esq r Governor and
Commander in chife in and over his Majestys Province of
Nevvhampshire — and to the Honorable Councill for Said
Province —
•
The Petition of Sundry of the Inhabitants of Newmarket in
Said provinc and others most humbly Shevveth — That there is
a Country Road Laid out by the general Court Several Years
Ago from Nottingham to Exeter River in the upper part of
Newmarkettand there is no Established ferry over Exeter River
in the upper part of Newmarkett that if there was it would be
14
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
of great Service and benefit for Travellers That Travell to and
from Nottingham Ipsum Bow and Pennecook and other places
to Portsmouth Wherefore Your petitioners most humbly Pray
Your Excellency and Honours to Establish a ferry over said
River near the Late house of Nathan Presberry at the new field
so called in the upper end of Newmarkett aforesaid and that he
Joseph Hall Esq r may have the benefit of said ferry and Your
Petitioners as in Duty bound shall ever Pray &c
Sep br 24 th6 1750
James Marston
David Lyford
John Perl
James Kinson
Fitz W m Sargent
John Mattoon
Winthrop Hilton
Samuel mighell
Joseph merrill
Richard Clark
Edward Hall
Edwrd
Chrles Hilton
James Sinkler
Danil Lad
Jonathan folsom
Isaac marston
John Wedgwood
Hubartes Mattoon
Robert Pike
Ebeneser Bean
Jacob tilton
Andru Burly
Joseph metcalf
Joseph
Rich d Mattoon
Samuel nel
peer harsee
Israel Gilman
Edward Colcord
[8-16]
[Remonstrance to foregoing. ,]
Province of New Hamp r
To His Excellency Benning Wentworth Esq r Governor and
Commander in Chief in and over the Province of New-Hamp-
shire and To the Honorable his majesty Councill for said
Province —
Humbly shews Andrew Wiggin Jun r of Stratham in s d Prov-
ince That he is informed that Joseph Hall of Newmarket in s d
Province Esq r (with others) hath Petition'd your Excellency
and Honours that there may be a Ferry over Exeter River so
called at some Distance above the Ferry over said River at a
place call'd Hiltons Ferry And that it will affect your Petition-
ers Interest very much in Case the Prayer of the said Joseph
Hall and others should be granted —
Wherefore your Petitioner Most humbly prays your Excel-
lency and Honours that the Pray of the said Petition of Joseph
Hall Esq r and others may not be granted untill your Petitioner
can be heard in opposition thereto which your Petitioner prays
may be granted him — and your Petitioner as in duty bound
shall ever pray —
Andrew Wiggin Jun r .
Desc r 25 th 1750
NEW MARKET. 1 5
[8-17] [Relative to New Market Bridge, i7SS-~\
To His Excellency Benning Wentworth Esq' Governer And
Commander in Cheif in & over his Maj ties Province of New-
Hampshire The Hon ble His Maj tis Councill & House of Rep-
resentatives in General Assembly Convened Nov r 25 th 1755 —
The Petition of Sundry of his Majestys Subjects Inhabitants
within the Province of New Hampshire Most Humbly Shews —
That in the year 1747 There was an Act Passed by the Legis-
lature of this Province for Erecting And Maintaining a Bridge
over the River at New-Market Near the ferry Place there In
Consideration of a Petition of Sundry Persons Inhabitants with-
in this Province. It being thought at that time that that Place
was very Suitable & Convenient for a Bridge to be Built there —
That a Bridge is not yet Built there nor Ever Begun tho
More then Eighth years are Elapsed — Since the Passing the
Said act, That your Petitioners Humbly Conceive that If a
Bridge was Built over the river from Stratham to a Place
Called the Newfields in New market It would be of Much
Greater Benefit & Advantage to the* Publick than one Built at
the fferry Place aforesaid —
That a Bridge May be much Cheaper & More Easily Built
and Maintained at the New ffields then at the ferry Place the
Current Not being So Strong at the Newfields as at the ferry
Place the Water Being Almost twice as Deep at Lowwater at
the Ferry Place as at the Newfields the Bottom of the river at
the New ffields Being much more Even that the Rafts Brought
from Exeter Generally Get But Little further then the New-
fields the first tide So that a Bridge there will be no Hindrance
to rafts Passing Down the river that it is a much more Direct
Way into the Country than where the other Bridge was Pro-
posed to be Built — That your Petitioners See no Prospect at
Present of a Bridge Being Built at the other Place — That your
Petitioners are Willing to Build And will Immediately go about
Building a Bridge over the river at y e New feilds aforesaid If
they may have Liberty So, to Do, By Act —
Wherefore Your Petitioners Most Humbly Prays your Excel-
lency & Honours that they may Have Liberty to Build Such a
Bridge over that river att the Newfeilds aforesaid as Your Ex-
cellency & Honours shall Judge Most Suitable and Convenient
And your Petitionrs as in Duty Bound Shall Ever Pray —
Ebenez r Johnson Andrew French Jacob Tilton
Benj* Nudd Bradstreet French Sam 11 Tilton
Josiah Clark W m French Winthrop Hilton
Sam" Clark Andrew French jun r John Dow
i6
William Clark
William Wallace
William Wallace Ju
Jonath a Weeks
John Weeks ju r
Andrew Wiggan y e
Samuel Haines jun r
Samuel Bathelder
W m Haines jun r
W m Haines
Ebenez 1- Johnson
Henry Clark
Abraham Johnson
Joshua Kennison
Edw d Derbarn
Benj a Marston
Reuben Gove Dear-
born
Joseph VViggin
Jon a Wiggin
Will" 1 French jun r
John Avery
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Jude Allen
Samuel Wiggin ju r
'Richard Young
Tho s Wiggin
Henrey Wiggin
Sam 11 Allen
Sam 11 Wiggin
Benj a Juett jun r
Sam 11 Pipper
Joshua Hill
Daniel Mason
W m Pottle
W ,n Pottle jun r
John Hill jun r
Rich d Rust
Benj a Cotton
Simon Wiggin
Jo 8 Hall
Benj u Johnson
Joseph Smith
Theoder Hilton
W m Crocket
John Elkins
Daniel Elkins
Jacob Ames
John Bergin
John Clark
Sam 11 Clark
John Hoag
John Stoekbridge
Alin thursttn
Sam 11 Boyinton
Samuel Doe ju r
Benj a Doe
John Dudley
Joseph Goodhue
Benf Smith
Jon a Thomas
John Clark
John Maiden
Edward Scott
Stephen Clark
W ni Moore
John Lyford
1
Joseph Metcalf
Nath 11 Ames
Simon Wiggin & will Give the Way Free & Clear through
my Land-
Nath 11 Sinclear
James Merrel
Richard Palmer
Joseph Palmer
John Levet
W m Moore jun r
Tho 8 Veasey
Samuel Levet
vSamuel Cate
Jon a Robinson
Daniel Allen
Joshua Weeks ju T
John Hoag ju r
Ezra Barker
Nath 11 Pipper
Samuel Avery
Samuel Veasey
Samuel Jannes
Jeremi Lock
Ebenezer Wallace
John Simston
John Naeley
James Whidden
Joseph Young
Step 11 Thurston
George Veasey
John
Samuel Gillman
Samuel Chapman
Caleb Philbrick
Samuel Elkins
Samuel Gilman
Tho 8 Harvey
Thomas Burley
Abner Hoag
Elisha Samborn
John Samborn
Joseph Burley
Isaac Marston
Peter rlbulsom
Nehemiah M cc Neile Samuel Philibrick
Samuel Neal Jon a Levett
John Hill
John Molloon
Daniel Molloon
Robert Briant
Nathan Jonson
Benj a Mackris
Ebenez Cate
Tobias Sanbourn
John Haines
Mathias Haines
Thomas Johnson
Ebenez r Mulon
James Johnson
Abner Haines
John Weeks
Josiah Clark jun r
John Blaso
Josiah floss
Abraham Durburn
Tho 8 Berrey
Richard Jennis
Francis Jennis
—
""""■
NEW MARKET.
17
Rob* Pike
Ephr Levett
Richard Jennis y e 3 d
Step n Gilman
Joshua Neal
Benj a Schell
Israel Gilman
Sam 11 Stevens Khis
Samuel Leavett
Tho B Pip per
mark
Henry Dow
Edward Sinclair
Nath 11 Levett
Joseph Brown
Moses Coffin
Samuel Lane
Francis Lock
Simon Pottle
Joseph Mason jun r
Lewis Haines
Edward Peavey
Samuel Peavey
William Johnson
John Hanes
John Barker
Sam 11 Johnson jun r
Jonath a Robinson
John Rawlins
Daniel Lunt
John Bean
John Weeks
Joseph Haines
Joseph Clark
Nath 11 Robinson
Daniel Maston
Benj a Pipper
Benj a Potter
Josiah Allen
Josiah Sanborn
John Godfery
Walter Weeks
Tho 8 Veasy
Joseph Derburn
Walter W^eeks jun r
Sam 11 Marble
Semeon Derburn
W m + Sanborn his
Abraham Tilton
Tho 8 Maston
mark [
Joshua Rawlings
Solomon Smith
John Phillbrick
Nath 11 Maston
Willom Moltn
Abiathar Sanburn
John Smith
David Stevns
Abraham Drake
Benj a Williams
Joshua Brown
Nathan Murdoo
Jacob Low
Tho 8 Nudd
Enock Clark
Eph a Green
Henry Moultn
Jonathan Marston
Tho 8 Odel
Daniel Dow
John Neal
George Vesey
Tho 8 Moulton
Robert Tufton Phil-
John Robinson
Elisha Thomas
brick
Joseph Robinson
Benj a Philbrick
W in Berrey jun r
Satchel Clark
Benj a maston
James Berry
John Rundlet
Job Chapman
ffrancis Berry
John Veazey
John Levet
Jo 8 -f- Grant his
John Frost
David Maston
mark
Cyprian Jeffry
Joseph Moultn
Rich d Rand
Jon a Longfellow
Benj a Hobbs
Jeremi Berry
Timothy Jones
Cap 1 Abner rlbgg
Samuel Willes
John Huggins
Jon a Hobbs
Nath 11 Jennis
Jonath* Jewett
Thomas Breyer
Zackriah Batchelar
Rich d Jennis jun r
John Marston
Joseph Jennis
John Hillton
Benj a Hoag
David Noles
James Perkins
John Sheppard
Job Jennis
Nathan Hoag
Jon a Wedgwood
Benj 11 Lampre jun r
William Calley
morris Hobbs
Amos Rann
william Ashley
John Hobbs
Joseph Fuller
Jonathan Clark
Benj ft Mason
John Ben net
W ,n Palmer
John Tayler
Josiah Webster
Jon a Chase
Benj a Norris
Stephen Batchelor
John Fuller
Jeremiah Durburn
Jon* Towl
Joseph Hoag
Ebenezer Barker
Dan 11 Moulton
18
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Benj a Norris jun r
Benj ft Norton
Nathan Maston
John Datum
Edward Hall
W m Norton
Jon a Norris
John Jonson
Lenord Weeks
Sam 11 -)- Davis his
mark
Benj a -|- Davis his
mark
Jon a Towl ju r
Sam 11 Jennis
Henry Elkins
W m Rendal
Joseph Marston
[For other documents relating to the said bridge, see Vol.
IX.— Ed.]
[R. 3-49] [Petition of Edward Fox of New Market, stating
that he "was a listed soldier in the service of this Province
In y e year 1756, under the Command of Cap 1 Abr a Perry &
y* by some mistake he was made up I his roll for one Month
& Ten days short of the time he was in said service" He
was allowed £6, 2, 6. — Ed.]
[R. 3-50] [Deposition of Chase Wiggin of New Market,
who states that he was at Fort Edward under Col. Meserve,
in 1756, and came home with Benjamin York ; and that said
York was wounded at Chester, on the way home, by the
bursting of his gun. — Ed.]
[R. 3-51] [Petition of Chase Wiggin, dated 1761, who
states " That on his Returning Home from the armey where
he was employed all the sumer past in the province service
was take sick of the small pox on or about the third day of
December last." He presented a bill for expenses of sick-
ness amounting to .£198, 10, o, old tenor, and was allowed
£7* 18, 9% sterling.— Ed.]
[R. 3-52] [Petition of Josiah Wiggin of New Market,
who stated that he was a soldier in Capt. George March's
Co., Col. Goff's Reg't, in 1760; came home and had the
small-pox, and wanted the province to pay the bill, which
amounted to £188 old tenor. He was allowed £7, 10, $>
sterling. — Ed.]
NEW MARKET. 19
[R. 3-55] [Account for Supplies furnished a Soldier, I77g.~\
1779. — Dr. Account of Supplies to John Barter, for the Ace* of
the Town of Newmarket.
[The account was for various articles furnished by Joseph
Young, Joshua Bracket, David Chapman, Walter Bryant,
Jr., and Ichabod Bracket, and amounted to £\66> 7, o. —
Ed.]
[R. 3-56] [Petition of Jonathan Mason, Soldier, i?8o.~]
[In a petition dated March 10, 1780, Jonathan Mason of
New Market stated " That your Petitioner enlisted as a Sol-
dier in the third Battalion of Troops of this State the 12 th
Day of February 1777 and Served in the army untill the
Retreat from Ticonderoga at which time your Petitioner had
the misfortune of being taken Prisoner by the Enemy from
whom he soon after made his escape." — Ed.]
[8-23] [Relative to Assistance to Soldiers' Families.^
Newmarket 6 th June 1775 —
■
To the Hon bl Provincial Congress at Exeter — Gent.
Whereas many Inhabitants of this Town are inlisted in the
Provincial Service, whose Family whilst they are absent will
stand in a great need of Support — and as it might be very Con-
venient if the Committee of Safety of this Town, could assist
such Familys with Provisions or other Necessaries of Life in
such Manner as that the same might be allowed The Town or
any Private Person that inclined to advance for that Purpose ;
in any Future Proportion of Charges that may be made to Pay
of s d Soldiers —
Wherefore We Pray the Advice of this Hon bl Convention —
And that your Hon rs would direct accordingly —
In Committee of Safety at Newmarket 6 th June 1775
Voted that the foregoing Petition be presented to the Con-
gress by M r Parsons—
Tho" Tash Chairman.
[8-20]
[This document is a " Plan of Land in Controversy 1764,"
20 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
"between the Select men & Ames." It purports to have
been drawn by Wentworth Cheswill. — Ed.]
[8-22] \_Request for Permit to send some Stock out of the
Province, 1775 '.]
To the Honorable Congress of the Colony of New Hampshire
the Humble Pettion of Jonathan Colcord Jn'
Shueth that your petioner has two four old Stears and two
Haffers and Eight Sheep he Wants to Send to pasemoquade to
Winter, Where he has hay to Winter them out Wherefore your
petioner prays your Honours Will Cleare out Said Cattel and
Sheep to be Carreyd in a Schoner belonging to m r Joseph
Clark & walles. So that they may not be taken and Stop d by
any of our Crusers, and your pettoner as in Dutey bound Will
Ever pray —
Jona Colcord
Newmarket Dec r 27 th 1775 —
[8-24] \_Petition relative to the Fourth Regiment of Mili-
tia.]
To the honourable Provincial Congress of the Colony of New
Hampshire.
The Subscribers Inhabitants of that part of the Colony afore-
said which compose the fourth Regiment of Militia therein,
beg leave to lay this petition before your honours respecting
the Appointment of Cap 1 Jeremiah Folsom to the Office of
lieut Colonel in said Regiment & tho some of us may not be
so immediately affected by such Appointment as others par-
ticularly the Inhabitants of Newmarket yet as we are all more
or less interested in the Arrangement of the Regiment we beg
leave earnestly to pray your honours to hear the prayer of this
& other Petitions, now before your honours to reconsider the
Vote of said Folsoms Appointment & let us have a Lieut
Colonel more suitable as well as more agreable and tho the
sole Privilege of such nomination & appointment is vested in
your honours yet we have such Confidence in your honours
Candour Goodness & tenderness for the People as leaves us no
room to doubt but your honours will consider our Condition &
grant our request which we beg leave humbly & earnestly to
entreat & withal beging your honours to bear in mind that tho
your honours may have greater knowledge of men & things
NEW MARKET.
21
& consequently may be better Judges than your Petitioners of
the propriety of any such appointment in general yet we beg
leave to say in this particular case that no body knows so well
where the shoe pinches as they that ware it — The People this
way are rightly informed of the said Folsom, we fear your
honours were not which occasions our adding this to we hope
the already sufficient Number of Petitions already before your
honours that if we cant be happy in the man we esteem we
may not be unhappy in the man we do not admire
Simon Marston
James Page
Daniel Page
Benjamin Page
Joseph Ham
Jeremiah Easman
William Tirrell
Tho 8 Rand
Benjamin Kindrick
david Kindrick
Josiah Prescott
Robord Kelle
Clement Jackson
Tristam Cram
Enoch Robie
william Simpson
hit
Moro X Parsons
mark
Nath 1 Rolins
John Pearson
Joseph Currier
Ithiel Smith
moses Barnard
Josiah Prescut
David Batchelder
Sanborn Cram
John morgean
Benjamin Carr
Edw webster
Timothy Jones
John Jones
Joseph Jones
David Jones
Benjamin Weeks
Samuel Prescut
Jedediah Prescot Ju
John Prescot
Samuel McCluer
Jonathan mccluer
Jonathan Judkins
Abraham Prescutt
Jacob Doe
Adonijah Fellows
Thomas Robie
Levi Dame
Asa marston
Cutten Cilley
william morrill
Alexander Lucy
John Wills
moses Daves
Josiah Clark
Josiah Clark Jun T
John cram
Abraham Page
Gideon Ham
John Tirell
William Rand
Ephraim Cram
John Simpson
Moses Chase
Sam 11 Leavitt Esq r
Josiah Chase
Henry Tucker
John Eastman
Richard Jenness
David Robinson
Nathan Philbrick
Joses Philbrick
Ezekiel Gilrnan
Joseph Smith
william mores
Beniamen Bean
Stephen Prescutt
Tho 8 Jenness
John Severince
Another petition contains the following :
Tames Hill
Ilubartus Neal
Richard Clark
Chas Wiggin
Edward Hilton
moses Egerlty
Nathan 61 Lord
Zebulon Davis
Robart Barber Ju
Eliphelet Pease
Jonathan Sanbon
John Wedgw r od
Josiah Burlcy
william Burley
willam higgens
Benjamin Stevens
Jacob Burley
Nicholas Doe Juner
Joseph meloon
Robert Pike
John Burleigh
David Wiggin
Benj* Mead
Josiah Hilton
22
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Sam" Baker
Charles Smart inur
Anthony Pickrein
Bening Brackett
Anthaney pickren
Jur
levy pickren
John Perkins
Winthrop Smith
Peter Drown
Stilmon Tarlton
John Marston
Jacob Pearson
Daniel Cromell
Nat ames
Edward Colcord
Samuel Dyer
Samuel- Neal
Brad u Gilman
John Bennet
Cotton Bennet
Joshua Brackett
Nicholas Hartford
Joseph Smart
thos Churchell
John tilton
Sam 11 Chapman
Aron kenson
James Burley
Johnthen wiggen
John Tash
Job Saveg
Reuben Doe
Thomas Bennet
John Colcord
Robert Jackson
Joseph Folsom
Walter Shute
David Folsom
W m Coffin
John Mason
Enoch Remick
John meder
David Chapman
John Cooke
Jonathan Doe
Moses Burley
John Bennett Jun
Caleb Clark
John Ames
Andrew Burley
Nat Gilman
Jos Adams
David Smart
William folsom
Nat ames Ju
Another dated Sept. 15, 1775, contained the following:
Benj Johnson
John Johnson
Increas Batchelder
John Batchelder
Jonathan Clark
John Smith
William Prescott
Volentine Kinnison
thomas georg
Jonathan folsom
Zabulon norris
Daniel Hil
James Godfree
Daves Batchelder
Mason Rendel
David Davis
Robert Davis
Sawyer Chesle
Jacob Davis
Abraham knight
Samuel Gray
James Hall
Joseph Joslon
Samuel Bresey
Joseph Jackson
Stoten Tuttle
Moses Davis
Samuel Burnam
Joshua Drew
Aldad Langley
Joseph Langley
John follet
John Giles
John Kenson
Andrew Chesle
Charles Wille
John Brown
John Brown Ju
Daniel Young
Jacob Burnum
Joshua Furbur
Samuel Dam
Several other petitions contain the following :
Robert Hill
Ham lebey
William Blake
Asahel Blake
Sherbun Blake
Reuben Morgin
Henry Sanborn
Samuel Sherborn
Jonathan knowlton
Paul gerrish
John mead
Josiah Burnham
Samuel Gilman 3 d
Joseph Sandborn
Jacob Burley
william folsom ir
John Harvey
Robert Avens
Will™ dark
John watson
James watson
franses kinsten
John chesle
John Lane
NEW MARKET.
23
Bervf Hill
Samuel Johnson
Thomas Piper
William Wallace
Simon' Wadle y
Sherbon Derbon
Nathaniel Derbon
Joseph Garman
John Foss
William Simson
Joseph gilman
Samuel ward
William Burley Junr
Edward folsom
Daniel wilson
Samuel Burleigh
Thomas Rowlings
Lewis Kinnison
Dudelv Smart
Elias Philbrick
thomas knolton
John Durgin
Robert Goodwin
John Doe
andrew Fulsan
Elisha Thomas
Frances Durgain
Brad* 1 Doe
Moses davis
Volintine Hill
Israel Randel
James kelse
Moses Godfree
abraham Batchelder
William Nelley
Samuel Daniels
Tho s m c Connells
John Bickford
Solomon Bickford
Nathanel Raiidel
John m c Crilles
Abednego Leathers
Jr
Hezekiah Randel
John gile
Benjamin fox
Philip Bartlet
Joshua Hoit
Growth Palmer
Nathanael Goodhue
Andrew Nelley
Nehemiah Bartlet
Joseph Robinson
Levi Robinson
John Nelley
Thomas Odel
John Welch
Winthrop Langley
Abner Clough
Edward Bean
Josiah Watson
Zeph a Butler
Patten Simpsion
Samuel winslow
Jonathan Huckins
Jonathan Willey
[8-28]
[Relative to Militia Affairs. jy^S-l
To the Hon ble Provincial Congress of the Colony of New
Hampshire —
The Petition of Samuel Baker, James Hill and Wentworth
Cheswill in behalf of the Town of Newmarkett Humbly Shews
— That when all America are Asserting and your Honours are
specially delegated to maintain amoung other Things; the
Rights of a free Representation, of Representatives being liable
to & bound by the Instructions of their Constituents : and of
Petitioning for Redress of Grieviances — We doubt not your
Hon™ will vouchsafe to hear this Petition, respecting Infring-
ments on some of those Rights, by a Member of your Body —
The Exercise of arbitrary Power over Places of Honour & Pro-
fit has once we have seen overbalanced free Representation and
helped to Reduce this Nation to a Civil War ; may not there-
fore appointments to such Trusts, solicited or Accepted by Del-
egates in Violation of the Instructions of their Constituents, be
justly esteemed Things of a bad and dangerous Tendency espe-
cially when such Honours fall upon Persons either of small Ac-
complishments or Low Merits — We therefore humbly Pray
24 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
your Honours to Eye the Hand of Freedom in our present case
and preserve even in small Things the Priviledges & Immuni-
ties of Each Individual — The Town of Newmarket being the
Second in the Regiment have usually had the second Field Offi-
cer appointed there : They still humbly pray for a Continuance
of the Same Favour; and they did specially order and Instruct
their Delegates to represent to your Honours the Desire of the
Town That Major Thomas Tash might be appointed a Field
Officer here, and themselves to use their Influence and Vote for j
said Tash accordingly — tho' not with any the most distant View J
of an exclusive Right to dictate to your Honours in the Matter, \
but only on a Confidence founded on Evidence of his Courage
and good Conduct manifested the last War, and his firm and
generous Exeritons in Defence of the Common Cause from its
earliest rise : and from the Advantages they have from their
Situation to gain the Knowledge of the Person in this Town
most worthy of such an Office above that of many of your
Honours to whom the Inhabitants of this Town are Strangers
— And it cannot but justly alarm us that Cap* Jeremiah Folsom
one of our s d Delagates should, repugnant to such Instructions
not only neglect to inform your Honours of his s d Instructions
or even regard them himself, but Presumptiously (to use his
own Words) " crawl into the Gap " The very Place which he
by the Ties of his Word & Honour was obliged to endeavour to
procure for another — This Conduct (had his Accomplishments
as an Officer been equal to those of Major Tash or even great-
er) would we conceive have Apolligized for this Petition — it
was this amoung other Reasons that induced the Town of New-
markett at a Meeting of its Freeholders and other Inhabitants to
Vote to dismiss the said Folsom from all further Service and to
chose us a Committee to Prefer this Petition — humbly to be-
seech your Honours to reconsider said Appointment, and per-
mit this Town still humbly to recommend the said Tash to your
Honours Consideration & humbly to pray your Honours gra-
cious Acceptance and Approbation of such Choice — And your
Petitioners as in Duty bound shall Pray —
Newmarkett 5 th September 1775
Sam 11 Baker
James Hill
Wentworth Cheswill
NEW MARKET. 25
[8-31] [Relative to Military Officers, 1775.']
Colony of N. Hampshire
To the Honourable Councel & House of Representatives for
Said Colony —
The Petition & Remonstrance of us the Subscribers, non
commission Officers & Soldiers in the north Company of Meli-
tia in Newmarkett — Humbly Shews —
That Jeremiah Folsom under pretence of acting as Lieut.
Col, of this Regiment, has as we humbly conceive, deprived us
of the Liberty of Choosing our own Officers; agreable to the
Resolution of the Hon ble Continental Congress ; by assuming, &
wantonly exercising, the Power of Moderator of the Meeting of
s d Company : & as such to adjourn from Time to Time ; &
from Place to Place ; untill he had surreptitiously obtained a
Vote for Edward Hilton Jr to be Captain : not by the free suf-
frages of the Soldiers, which we conceive ought to have been
had; but by a Small Majority, of some of the Company, in
Conjunction with several Commissioned Officers ; & others that
Did not belong to the Company & even some that did not be-
long to the Town —
Which Vote so obtained, he the s d Folsom afterward refused
to have reconsidered ; tho' repeatedly demanded by a far greater
Number than it was passed by and still persists in further ad-
journing the Meeting Contrary to the Sence of the Majority of
the Company Present — and other unfair, partial, & oppressive
behavour, of s d L l Colonel, compels us Humbly to pray, the in-
terposition of this Hon bl Court ; & that s d Folsom may be re-
moved, from the Office of L l Colonel ; and We be restored to
the Previledges of Soldiers, in Common with Other Americans :
Which Previledges, we are determined to Assert, maintain, &
defend; according to the Resolutions of the Hon le Continental
Congress — or have our Aforesaid Greivances Redressed, in
Manner as shall Seem Meet to your Hon 1 * 8 & your Petitioners
shall Pray —
At a Meeting of the North Company of Melitia in New-
markett March 5 th 1776 —
Peter Drown Josiah Bennett Richard perkins
John Nason Volentine Rollins Peter Hersey
Zebulon Doe 3 d Willom Spriggens Frances Durgain jr
William Simson John meder Cotton Bennet
John Perkins Joseph meloon Reuben Doe
Samuel Gill Andrew Doe Nicholas Doe Jun r
william Burley Junr Jos h Clark Zebulon Duda
John watson Jonathan Dudley Joshua Brackett
26 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Smith Chapman John Tash Samuel Chapman
Edward Folsom Samuel Chapman Joseph Chapman
John Bartlett Sen r James Dearborn
Joseph Folsom william folsom ir Gideon knight
Anthoney Pickering Benj a Mead Abraham Parsons
Jr Lewis Kinnison Robert Jckson
Aaron kinsten Bening Brackett Jonathan Doe
Joseph Saweige Jeremiah Foss
John Bennett Jur Jonathan Folsam
}
[8-32] [Relative to Church Matters, 1777.]
To the Hon ble the Council and House of Representatives of the
State of New Hampshire in general Assembly convened 7 th
November 1777 —
The Petition of Jeremiah Folsom, Josiah Adams and Went-
worth Cheswill Agents for and in behalf of The Town of New-
market — Humbly shews
That the Inhabitants of said Town being divided in Relig-
eous Sentiments; and the Circumstances of the Town not ad-
mitting of a local Division into two Parishes at Present: They
have mutually agreed upon a Division between the Congrega-
tional & Preysbyterian Societies by Poll — In which Case nei-
ther Society having any legal Authority to call or settle a Minister
of the Gospel in any way but as Individuals, nor can they Re-
spectivly as Seperate Bodys, vote assess or collect any Sums of
Money for the Support of the Gospel nor Transact any other
Prudential Affairs of the Ministry — which obvious Difficulties
being increased by a Vacancy in the Ministry of one Society —
The Inhabitants in legal Town Meeting Assembled the 3 d Ins*
mutually agreed upon a Mode of Division by Polling as by the
Journal of said Meeting appears — and appointed us the Sub-
scribers Agents to petition this Hon ble Court for Leave to Bring
in a Bill to recognize & establish said Division : and enable said
Societies respectively to transact the Prudential Affairs of their
Ministry seperatly in the same Manner the Town might do if
united — Which we humbly pray your Honours to take under
Consideration ; and grant such Releif as to your Honours shall
seem meet —
And your Petitioners shall pray —
Jeremiah Folsom
Josiah Adams
Wentworth Cheswill
[This petition was granted. — Ed.]
NEW MARKET.
27
[8-33] [Members of the West Society, 1778.]
To the Town Clerk of Newmarket —
We the Subscribers desire our Respective Names be Entered
as Members of the Western Society in Said Town Agreeable
to Charter.
Jeremiah Folsom, Walter Bryent, Jun r , Wm. Burleigh, James
Cram, Thomas Bennet, Will 1 " Renton, Arthur Bennett, Levi
Folsom, Joshua Bracket, Aaron Kinnison, Nich° Harford, Jon a
Wiggen, W m Burleigh, J r , Zebulon Duda. Smith Chapman, Ru-
fus Ewer, Benj a Tayler, John Folsom, Josiah Burleigh, Jon a
Roberson, John Watson, David Wiggin, Joseph Smart, Robert
Gooding, Enoch Folsom, Winthrop Wiggin, Thomas Church-
ill, Mehitable Gooding, Jacob Ames, Joseph Young, Joseph
Joy, John Young, Nicholas Doe, Edward Smith, W m Simpson,
Jacob Durgan, Thomas Wiggen, Joseph Gilman, John Cook,
Joseph Clark, John Meeder, Elizabeth Folsom, Samuel Bur-
leigh, Simeon Folsom, Edward Hilton, Asa Folsom, Thomas
Kinnison, Walter Bryent, Josiah Hilton, Ichabod Bracket,
Charles Smart, Israel Gilman, Jacob Burleigh, Jun r , William
Stockman, Zebulon Doe, Jun r , Gamalil Ewer, Job Savage, Zeb-
ulon Doe, Liwes Kinnison, Benjamin Chapman, Jon a Doe,
Elizabeth Hilton.—
Received the 10 th of January 1778 —
True Coppy
Attest Jos. Adams Town CI
Nathanel Gilman
Stephen Hardy
John Marster
John Neal
Zebulon Neal
Nath 11 Rogers
Theodore Carlton
E Mighels
William Shute
Jonathan Colcord
Jun r
John Mighels
Samuel Mighels
In behalf of Sam 1 Smart )
Nath 1 Rogers j
In behalf of Josiah Smart )
Nath 11 Gilman ]
Dudley Smart
Peter Colcord
George Hart
Joseph Shute
Ebenezar Speed
Thomas Tayler
Jeremiah Young
Michael Shute Jun r
Ede Hall Bergin
Jeremiah Foss
Anthony W. Car-
Joseph Weeks
John Mead
Levi Mead
penter
David Gilman
Stephen Liford
Eliphalet Colcord
Francis Durgin
!
28
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Recev'd Aprill 12 th 1779.
James Gilman. Recev d March 31. 1782
Daniel Hilton Recv d April 5. 1782
I Receiv d
> March 2 d
1784-
W m Boardtnan
Eliz. Boardman
Vincent Tar
John Young-Ju r
Benj a Vernam
James Smith
The foregoing Names are true Coppy on Record, of those
belonging to the West Society in Newmarket
Attest Josiah Adams
Town CI
[8-34] [Relative to New Market Bridge, ij8oJ\
State of New-Hampshire
To the Hon blc Council and House of Representatives for said
State in general Assembly Conven'd at Portsmouth 24 th Octo-
ber AD 178c
Humbly Shew We the Subscribers, freeholders and Inhabi-
tants of divers towns in this State that Stratham & Newmarket,
Lottery Bridge so Called, is now become ruinous and almost
impassable and unless Speedily Repaired the Great Expence of
building it & Great Benefit and Convenience the Public might
Still Receive therefrom will be entirely Lost — As the Said
Bridge was built by Lottery for the Public advantage and as no
particular Towns are Chargeable with the Repairs thereof your
Petitioners humbly Conceive that a Lottery for the Repair of
Said Bridge would be found the most elegible way Wherefore
your Petitioners humbly Pray that your Honors would (as in
Some Cases you have) Grant a Lottery for that purpose, or
that the Same brige may be Supported in future at the Charge
of the County of Rockingham or in such other manner as your
Wisdom may dictate and your Petitioners as in Duty bound
will ever pray &c —
Walter Brycnt
Tho 8 Tash
Jeremy Brycnt
Joseph young
Joseph Young Ju r
Benjamin Chapman
Edward Smith
Samuel Burleigh
Benj a Stevens
Jeremy pineo
Bejamin Smith
Simeon Folsom
Jer h Fosom
Rufus Ewers
Elip* Neal
Paul Chapman
Wiggin Doe
Jon a Stevens
NEW MARKET.
2 9
Josiah Parsons
Jos h Clark
Nicholas Hartford
Jer e Young
Zebulon Durgin
Benj a Smith
Jn° Smith
Nath 1 Kidder
James Cram
John young
Robert Hill
Enoch Stevens
Jonathan Doe
John Bennett Ju
Levi Mead
Joseph Saevy
John Cooke
David Chapmon
Benj Nudd
William Boardman
William Cram
Hubartus Neal
Stilmon Tarlton
Asa Folsom
Ich d Brackett
Sam 11 Durgin
John gile
Edward foox
William Coffin
Joseph Brackett
James Burley
John young
Robt. york*
£8-35] [Proceedings of a Town- Meeting relative to Articles
of Confederation, etc., 1782.]
State of New Hampshire Rockingham ss —
The legal Inhabitants paying Taxes in the Town of New-
market are hereby notified and Warned to meet at the Old
Meeting House in Said Town on Monday the 18 th Day of No-
vember next at 2 O'Clock P M. Then & there 1 st to choose a
Moderator — 2 dly To Elect a Representative ; and Vote for
Councellors for the year insuing : agreable to a Precept from
the General Court of this State — 3 d17 To take under Considera-
tion the Plan of Government proposed by the Convention of
this State, by their Resolution of the 2i 8t of August last to be
laid before the People — and Take such order thereon as the
Meeting may think proper — 4 thly To pass any Other Vote or
Votes, that may then and there be thought necessary —
Given under our Hands at Newmarkett this 31 st Day of Oc-
tober. 1782 —
Walter Bryent Jun r \ Selectmen
Joseph Doe > of
ill)
Wentworth Ches^
Newmarket
At a Meeting of the legal Inhabitants paying Taxes in the
Town of Newmarkett. at the Old Meeting House in said New-
market on Monday the iS th Day of November 17S2. Pursuant
to Warrant —
i' 1 Voted Cap 1 Samuel Baker Moderator —
The Moderator ordered the Votes to be brought in for the
Choice of a Representative, the Votes being accordingly
brought in and Numbered and there were
19 Votes for Col° Hill
17 Votes for Cap' Oilman
1 Vote for M r John Tash
— ~t
30 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Whereupon the Moderator declared that the Meeting had made
Choice of Col° Hill for their Representative —
There was then an Objection made that the Proceedings of
the Meeting was not legal by Reason of the Voters not takeing
the Oath of Fidillity and after Debateing upon the Matter for
Some Time the Meeting then Voted to adjourn to Monday next
at One of the Clock in the Afternoon
This Meeting is accordingly adjourn'd
Samuel Baker. Moderator —
Attest, Josiah Adams Town Clk
The Meeting met according to Adjournment — upon Motion
made Whether the Meeting Should Proceed to finish the Re-
mainder of the Business in the Warrant, it past in the Affirma-
tive by a large Majority — W T hereupon Cap* Samuel Oilman,
Cap* Neal, Theodore Carlton and Nath 1 Gilman dissented
against the above Vote by Reason the Voters not being Qualli-
fied—
The Moderator ordered the Votes to be brought in for the
Choice of Councellors The Votes 1 were accordingly brought in
— Then Voted this Meeting be Adjourned to Monday the 9 th
day of December next, at one of the Clock in the afternoon,
This Meeting is Adjourned Accordingly
Samuel Baker Moderator —
Attest Josiah Adams Town Clk
The Meeting met According to Adjournment this 9th Day ot
December 1782 — a Paper was then presented to the Meeting
Signed by a Number of Persons, Offering their Reasons for
their Dissenting against the Meeting upon the Several adjourn-
ments, in the Following Words (Vizt) —
At a Town Meeting held at Newmarket 18 th November, 1782
and Continued by adjournment, to the 25 th November 17S2, and
further Continued by adjournment, 9 th December, 1782 —
From and against the Votes and Proceedings of all Severall
Meetings We the Subscribers Dissent and Protest for the fol-
lowing Among other Reasons —
i at Because when the Votes were brought in for a Repre-
sentative and an objection was made against any Persons Vot-
ing who had not taking the Oath of Allegiance to the State the
Moderator did not take care to see the Voters quallified accord-
ing to Law, but Declared Col Hill chosen by a Majority of
only One Vote, when it was Notoriously known that many of
the Persons that Voted had not taken the Oath according to
Law. 2 dly Because after the Objection was made as aforesaid
and debated upon and the Act of the State enjoining the Afore-
NEW MARKET. 3 1
said Oath was Read and the Meeting adjourned — on that Ac-
count no Entry there of was made, but on the adjournment the
Moderator proceeded in the Vote for Councellors in the Same
Manner as before without the Voters being Quallified and fur-
ther adjourned the Meeting to Consider of the Plan of Govern-
ment without any Notice being taken of the utter illegality of
such proceeding — 3 dly Because we Apprehend that many Peo-
ple were misled into such undue measures by Col Hill, pub-
lickly declaring in the Meeting that the Act enjoining an Oath
of Allegiance was not intended for the People here but only
made for the People in the upper part of the State — and there-
fore because many who were not Quallified and others that
were Quallified Conceiving the proceedings to be illegall did
not Vote either for Representative or Councellors, We as afore-
said do Dissent and Protest against the proceedings had or to
be had in the Premises — and Request an Entry of the forego-
ing on the Records — I
Samuel Gilman Samuel Neal Joseph S. Gilman
Robert Pike James Gilman Theodore Carlton
Bradstreet Gilman Daniel Hilton Hubartus Neal
Andrew Gilman Nath 1 Gilman Jacob Fowler —
UpOti Motion made Voted to adjourn the Meeting to the
Widdow Longfellows House Immediately — Met According to
adjournment, and after Reading the Plan of Government and
debateing thereupon — it was put whether the said Plan Should
be Received or Not, it past in the Affirmative Ten for it, and
Three against it —
This Meeting is Disolved —
Samuel Baker Moderator
Attest Josiah Adams Town Clk
A True Coppy of the Whole
Attest Josiah Adams Town Clk
[8-37] \_Petition for a Civil Magistrate, 1784.']
State of Newhampshire —
To his Excellency the President, and the honourable the Coun-
cil of the State of New Hampshire —
The Petition of the Subscribers Inhabitants of the town of
Newmarket, in the county of Rockingham, humbly Shews—
That the necessity of appointing civil Officers, of integrity,
uprightness & ability is of the last importance, & deeply felt by
32
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
your Petitioners — That as your Petitioners wish that Persons
may be appointed in this town to the Office of Justices of the
Peace, whose lives, Abilities & Estate will not only do honor
to the town, but tend to make the government under which we
live permanent & respectable. That as a multiplicity of busi-
ness is transacted in that part of the Town called Lamper-River,
which part of the town for some time past has been, & now is,
destitute of a person in Commission for the Conservation of
the Peace — Your Petitioners humbly beg leave to mention to
your Excellency & honours, Jeremy Bryant Esq r as a Person
(resident in said part of the town) best qualified, in their opin-
ion, for that Important office — Your Petitioners mean not to
dictate, but humbly pray your Excellency & honours, if you
think the abovenamed Person worthy, that he may be ap-
pointed to the aforesaid important Office &, as in duty bound,
will ever pray &c —
Newmarket 5 th April 1784
\
James Hill
Daniel Hill
John Shute
Jacob Fowler
Edward Hilton
Sam 1 Gilman
Andrew Gilman
Tho 8 Taylor
Levi Chapman
Robert Pike Ju
William Cario
Philip Fowler
Nath Gilman
Thomas Bennett
Walter Bryent Jr
John Bennet
Winthrop Smith
Eliphalet Smith
Benj a Mead
Wentworth Chesvv
Lewis Kinnison
Moses kinnison
Josiah Hilton
Robert Goodwin
Jonath Wigens
Jacob Ames
John Watson
Cotton Bennet
David Chapman
Levi Pickreing
Dudly Smart
Richard Hilton
Samuel Ward
John Sanborn
Solomon Daniels
Edward Wells
W in French
Thomas Hanaford
Zebulon Barber
ill John Ames
Tho 8 Carlton
Charles Smart ir
Joseph Savveige
Samuel way mouth
Hilton Smart
Wiggin Doe
Sam Chapman
John M. Smith
Andrew Smith
thomas wiggin
Benning Brackett
Daniel Hilton
Samuel Pickering
John Perkins
Jacob Folsom
Willam Folsom
Jacob Hersey
John Marston
[8-38] [Petition for a Magistrate, 1784."]
State of New Hampshire —
To his Excellency the President and Hon ble Council for the
State of New Hampshire convened at Concord the first
Wednesday in June Anno Domini 1784 —
NEW MARKET.
33
Humbly shew the Subscribers Inhabitants of the Town of
Newmarket in the County of Rockingham and State afore d
That a Justice of the peace is greatly wanted in the north part
of said Town ; especially the district called Lampereel River —
Your Petitioners beg leave to recommend M r James Smith as a
person of good reputation, and w T ell qualified to act in said
office ; Therefore they would humbly pray your Excellency,
and Council to commissionate the said James Smith to act as a
Justice of the peace in said County of Rockingham, And your
Petitioners as in duty bound will pray &c —
March 23 th 1784.
Nathaniel Ewer
William Burley
Jonathan Robinson
Benj Taylore
James Cram
William Bordman
Jethro Sandborn
Jonathan Doe
John Young
William Burley Jur
Sam 1 Smart
John Young Jun r
David Cram
Joseph Young Jun r
Asa Folsom
George Curtis
David Coolcord
Jonathan Colcord
W. Renton
Benjamin French
Samuel Ward
Benjamin Dow
Elijah Wiggins
Paul Chapman
Simeon Folsom
John Cooke J r
Benjamin Chapman
Jer e Young
Zebulun Doe
Ich d Brackett
Joseph Smith Juner
Simon Dow
Benjamin Varnum
John Cook
John Meader
-
Andrew Doe
Zebedee Dude
Vincent Torr
Josiah Parsons
[8-39] [Petition for Authority to call a Special Meeting,
' " ' h*s-\
To the Hon ble House of Representatives Of the State of New
Hampshire in General Court Convened June S th 1785 —
Humbly Shows the Subscribers Inhabitants of Newmarket,
That at the last Annual Meeting held in Newmarket for the
Choice of a Representative a Vote was Obtained to desolve
said Meeting without any Choice being made, Contrary to the
Minds of a great Number of said Inhabitants —
Your Petitioners conceiving themselves Injured they there-
fore pray your Hon™ would Grant Liberty to the Selectmen of
the Town of Newmarket, to call a Meeting to make Choice of
a Representative to Represent said Town in the General Court
the Current Year — and as bound Shall pray &c —
Newmarket, June 14 th 1785
5 -
34
Hubartus Neal
David Colcord
John Neal
Zebulon Neal
W m Cario
Moses Burleigh
John M. Smith
A. W. Carpenter
Theod r Carlton
Samuel Gilman Ji
Joseph Mash
David Smart
John Shute
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Josia Adams
Dan 1 Hill
Hub 1 Neal Jun r
Robert Pike
Walter Shute
W m Odiorne
Robart Mitchel
Rueben Doe
Philip Fowler
Dan 1 Hilton J r
Joseph Hoage
David Hilton
William Neal
Jonathan Colcord
Winthrop Wiggin
John Colcord
Peter Colcord
William Shute
Edward Colcord
W m Badger
Stilmon Tarlton
Eliphalet Colcord
John Marster
Enoch Stevens
Robert Smart
Samuel Baker
1
[The foregoing petition was granted in H. of Rep., June
17, 1785.— Ed.]
[8-42] [Proposal relative to Bridge, 1785.]
The Subscribers in behalf of the Petitioners for the removeal
of Newmarket Bridge beg leave to make the following proposal
If the Honorable General Court will be pleased to grant the
prayer of the Petitioners for the purpose aforesaid We will give
sufficient Bonds to build A Bridge at the Newfields Two feet
higher than it now is the Piers with half Diamonds up & down
the River the Ship Passage Thirty One feet wide and keep it
in repair Twenty Years
Nat. Rogers
Henry Wiggin
[8-46] [Petition to have New Market Bridge repaired,
1785.1
State of New Hampshire
To the Hon ble Senate and House of Representatives in General
Court convened at Portsmouth the I st Day of June 1785.
Humbly shews, The subscribers, that, Newmarket Bridge,
so called, leading from Stratham to Newmarket, is, and for a
long time has been, in a ruinous condition — that, unless imme-
diate repairs prevent, the great design of building the same will
be defeated, and the public essentially injured thereby —
Wherefore, as the continuance of said Bridge would be of
public benefit, your petitioners humbly pray, that your honors
would devise some way, for its speedy Repair and future sup-
port, and they as in Duty bound will ever pray &c
Daniel Rindge
W m Brewster
David Folsom
Dan R. Rogers
Nahum Ward
Sam 1 Storer
Edward Sargent
Aaron Hill
John Gould
J. allcock
Rob* Parker
Sam 1 Bowles
William parker
James Haslett
Dan 1 Peirce
John Lewes
Sam 1 Ham J r
R Hart
John Sherburne
Hall Jackson
John Peirce
W ra Whipple
Sam 1 Cutts
Jn° Tuckerman
John Beck
Win' Bennet
James Hill
Moses Woodward
Daniel Hart
Edward Park
John Cutt
Abner Blasdel
John Dennett
Benjamin Woodbu
Joth m O Appleton
Alexander Ewen
Joseph Fitzgerald
Charles Waters
Titus Salter
Samuel Fernald
John Reding Jur
Thomas Sheafe
Henry Sherburne
Elijah Hall
Rich d Billings
Enoch Meloon
Tobias Walker
NEW MARKET.
W m Sheafe
Sam Penhallow Jr
Jeremiah Hill
Ichabod Nichols
Edmund H Quincy
Samuel Hill
Jo Haven
Joseph Champney
Jacob Sheafe jun r
Ric d Champney
Peter Coues
W m Morris
James drisco
W m Gardner
Nat: Sparhawk
Nath 1 Adams
Martin Parry
John Lebbey
John Melcher
Nath 11 Peirce
Beng n Drowne
Joshua Brackett
John Sheafe
Robert Gerrish
William Ham
Geo : Jaflrey
James Grouard
James Miller
Benjamin Slade
Thos Sherburne
Sam 1 Moses Jun r
Hunking Faxson
Danel Davis
ry Jacob Sheafe
Sam Sheafe
Shackford Seaward
John Pitman
Richard Jenkins
John Howe
James Melcher
John Greenleaf
James Jones
William White
Benj a G Carter
Ephraim Dennett
Samuel Cotton
Joseph Akerman
35
Joseph Cotton Jur
Reuben Snell
James Trefethen
Joseph Clark
Ezekiel pitman
Natt 1 Melcher
W m Dearing
Jos h Seaw r ard
Gupey Studley
Eph m Ham
Amos Beck
Edmund Coffin
Paul Laighton
John Hall
Josiah Akarman
Humfry Thomas
Giles Seaward
John Broten
thomas thurber
Thomes Stoodly
Jn° Seaward
Thomas Walden
Timothy Ham
Sam 1 Place
Thomas Preast
Sam 11 Waters Jur
Rich d Harvey
Robert Neall
Daniel Lang
William Vaughan
Benja a Partridge
Nath Pitman
Joseph O Shaw
Samuel Hall
W m Cotton
Sara 1 Hutchings
Reuben Shapley
Joseph Moulton
James Marden
Charles Roberts
Joseph Shillaber
Jon Chase Freese
Stephens Weeks
Joseph Walton
Theo r Davis
Tho Roach
Joshua L Huntress
1357666
36
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Jn° Shores
Nath 1 Thwing
Thomas Simes
Samuel Briard
Samuel Briard J r
John Peirce Jun r
Jn° Simes
W m M c Hard
Jonathan Warner
Samul Doe
Nath 1 Dennett
A. R. Cutter
Thomas Palmer
Samuel Haven J r
Sam Sherburne
Benj Bigelow Jun r
Clement Storer
W* Wilson
Nat Treadwell
Francis Borland
W m Knight
John Furnald
Edmund Roberts
Geo Wentworth
Jeremiah Libbey
Peter Pearse
Geo Turner
Keith S pence
Sam Hale
Tho 8 Thompson
Mark H g Wentworth
Seth Walker
Nath 1 Marshall
Richard Low-
John Ham
Tho Bickford
John Cutt Jun r
Dan 1 Symes
John Marshall
John Stavers
Sam 11 Dalling
John Sparhawk
Dan 1 Huntress
John Martin
John Sherburn
William Seavy
O Whipple
Th° Moses
Thomas Chadbourn
Noah Peirce
Sam 11 Jackson
John Penhallow
Sam 1 Drowne
Samuel Tripe
Nath 1 March
Tim Gerrish
Henry Bickford
Charles B. Grace
Stacy Hall
William Ayers
William Yeaton
John Davenport
William Brotten
John Reed
George Tucker
Nathan Nichols
Jon a Shillaber
Samuel Waterhouse
Nahum Akarman
Mark Nelson
Artemas W Trusdel
George Jerry Os-
borne, jur
Sam 11 Jones
John Gardner
John Lord
W m Moses
George Seward
N : furbur
Solomon Cotton
W m Blunt
Sam 1 Rymes
John Wendell
George Freese
Joseph Bass
John Goddard
Joseph Freese
Joseph Whidden
Benj a Dearborn
Sam 1 Langdon
George Massey
1
[In H. of Rep., June 4, 1785, a committee was appointed
on the foregoing petition, consisting of Colonels Bartlett,
Wiggin, Gilman, Toppan, and Mr. Brackett; the senate add-
ed Mr. Gilman and Mr. Atkinson. The following is their
report. — Ed.]
is-43]
The Com ee on the within petition beg leave to report as their
Newmarket side so far as to the hoist be repaired & supported
at the expence of the said Town of Newmarket and the end on
Stratham side be repaired and supported at the expence of said
NEW MARKET. 37
Stratham so far as the hoist and that the hoist be repaired &
supported at the expence of the Towns of Portsmouth green-
land & Rye Portsmouth to pay three quarters of said expence
greenland & Rye the other quarter for & during the Term of
ten years and no longer which is submitted
Geo. Atkinson for the Corn"
[In H. of Rep., June 17, 1785, the foregoing report was
accepted, but the senate did not concur. — Ed.]
[8-47] [Petition for the removal of New Market Bridge,
i 7 8 5 .-\
State of Newhampshire
To the Hon ble Senate & House of Representatives for Said
State in General Court convened at Concord the third
Wednesday of Oct r 1 785 —
Humbly shew the Subscribers, that Newmarket Bridge is
unpassable and in a ruinous condition, that the Remaining ma-
terials of the Bridge will be lost soon unless the Bridge is re-
paired, or materials removed — that your petitioners conceive
there is no prospect of the Bridge being Repaired, and that the
remains of the Bridge were they removed to the Newflelds,
would Serve to build a Bridge across the River there, where
the River is narrower and the Tide less rapid, than the place
where the Bridge Stands, if a Bridge were erected and kept at
the Newflelds the Public would be better Accommodated and
the River less obstructed — And as many Persons are Willing to
Subscribe considerable sums of Money to build a Bridge at the
Newflelds Your petitioners conceive there is a fair prospect of
a Sufficient Sum being subscribed for building a Bridge there
and keeping the same in repair for ten years from the building
thereof in case leave were given to move the Meterials of the
Old Bridge to help build the new one, before the removel of
which Materials Sufficient caution shall be given for building
and keeping the new Bridge in Repair as aforesaid and your
petitioners as in duty bound shall pray &c
Jo* Cilley Isaac Prince John Ford
Sam 11 Dearborn Benjamin Butler Alexander Lucy
Bradb 7 Cillev Joshua Stevens Benjamin Lucy
Ton* Cilley " Edward Bean Tho 8 Bartlet
Jon* Rawson Tho* Harvy John F y Williams
38
Thomas Jenness
Rand
Isaac fry Williams
William Simpson
John Avery
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Joseph Nealey
John Ha ivy
Jonathan Tilton
David Thompson
Asa Guile
Mich. M c Clary
Samuel Prescut
Sam 1 Robie
1
[8- 4 8]
[Remonstrance to foregoing, if86.~\
State of New Hampshire
To the hon ble Senate & house of Representatives of said State
in General Assembly convened — February i 8t 17S6 —
The Answer of the Towns of Durham Newmarket Madbury,
Lee and Northwood, to a Certain Petition now depending be-
fore this hon ble Court to remove Newmarkett Bridge to the New
Fields, by their Committees appointed for that Purpose, whose
Names are hereunto subscribed : who for themselves and their
Constituents, humbly Pray, that for the following among other
Reasons (which they beg Leave to offer at the hearing) that
the Prayer of the Said Petition may not be granted —
To which we object and say
i Bt That a very considerable Part of the Petitioners them-
selves, do not wish the Bridge to be removed : and were only
induced to sign the Petition upon a Misrepresentation, that
there would not be any Bridge unless it was Removed : the
Contrary of which will not so clearly appear; that we presume
to hope the hon bl Court will consider the said Petition, as in
fact it is a Measure calculated to serve the private Views of a
few Persons about the New-fields to the manifest detriment of
the Public in general. —
2 dl7 Because the principal Reasons therein assigned for Re-
moval of the Bridge are not True, for they say that at the pro-
posed Place the river is narrower & the Tide less Rapid than at
the Place where the Bridge Stands, the bare denial of which
we presume might be a sufficient Answer — For the River at
the Bridge being not only broader but also much deeper, conse-
quently the Tide cannot be so rapid — The very Water Courses
of the Present Bridge by their Wedth & depth afford a larger
Passage for the Water, than the whole wedth of the River at
the newfields and from which deducting the Spaces which the
Piers & abutments of a Bridge will necessarily take up, the
Course of the Water will be so much obstructed as will effect
the Navagation to a very great Degree as well as endanger the
Bridge it self — They also say that a Bridge at the Newfields
NEW MARKET. 39
would better Accommodate the Public & less obstruct the
River — neither of which facts are True, for the Contrary will
clearly appear both by the Memorials : and also by the Plan
(herewith exhibited) it will appear that for all Travellors on
the lower Road leading over said Bridge the way by the pro-
posed Bridge is a Mile & three quarters further than by the
Present Bridge and a much worse road especially for Carriages
— And even the Western Road thro' Epping Nottingham,
Deerfield, Epsom &c the lower Road is 154 Rods nearer — so
that upon the very moderate computation of only 50 Persons a
Day passing said Bridge by each of said Roads such Removal
will Occasion the Public more than 36,000 miles Travel in a
Year ; besides more than a quarter of a Days work for every
Team passing to and from Portsmouth that Way ; which will
be a Cost far exceeding the Repair of the Bridge ; so that the
Public cannot (with any Propriety) be said to be Accommo-
dated by a Measure which will be detrimental to more thou-
sands than it can really Benefit single Persons — The same we
must still object & say with Respect to the Obstruction of the
River, untill we hear upon what new Principles they will prove
That, the Smaller the Passage the same Body of Water
passes through in the same Time the less rapid the Stream —
3 dl * Because a Work of such Importance as a Bridge over a
Navagable River, in its own Nature ever is should be done not
only in such manner & Place as would best Accomodate the
Public in passing over the same, but also be the least detri-
mental to the Water Carriage ; and which in that River is of
considerable Consequence — And accordingly the Place where
the Bridge now is was fixed upon for that purpose by a Com-
mitte of both Branches of the Legeslature, accompanied by an
approved Engeneer, sent on Purpose to view & examine the
River before the Bridge was built and now many Years tryal
clearly shows that the Place was well chosen : Whereas it is
uncertain whether a Bridge could be made to stand at the pro-
posed Place where the current is quicker and the Botom
sandy —
4 tw 7 Because there has been more than a Mile of Road laid
out on purpose to accomodate the Present Bridge, which upon
Removal thereof, if continued open will be a needless burden
on the public: and if shut up, will leave those Persons who
upon Confidence in the public Faith have purchased or divided
their Estates in Conformity thereto, to purchase Roads for them-
selves : some of them thro' the same Land, which their Ances-
ters generously gave the Public : — And several Miles more of
New Road, must be purchased by the Public —
5 th17 We object & Answer that all the other Reasons by them
assigned for the Removal of the Bridge ; either opperate as
40 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
forcably for the repair of the same where it now is ; or are
mere Suggestions without the least Foundation —
All which we are ready, to Prove to the hon ,e Court on Trial
and for which amoung other Reasons, We humbly pray that
the Prayer of said Petition may not be granted —
And that Leave may be given to bring in a Bill to regulate
the Repair of the Present Bridge & prescribing the Method in
which the Same shall be supported in future by Subscription,
agreable to a proposal of your Memorialists herewith exhibited,
or otherways as to your Hon" in Wisdom shall seem meet:
And your Memorialists as in Duty bound shall pray —
Lee, 30 th January 1786. —
Geo : ffrost ) -, ... e
■c^i r r,-., f Committe for
jb,ben r 1 hompson > ~ ,
volentine malhes \ Durharn
Sam 1 Gilman ) -, ... c
T h V o- C Committe for
WenLorth U cLwilI ) Ne *vmarket
John Demerit | Committe for
John Wingate j Madbury
Reuben Hill ~\
Joseph Sias > Committe for Lee —
Robert thompso )
John Harvey ) Committe for
Jon* Clark j Northwood
[8—51] [Remonstrance of Citizens of Efiping.~\
To the hon ble the Senate and house of Representatives of the
State of New Hampshire in General Court Assembled Feb-
ruary 17S6 —
The Humble Petition & Remonstrance of the Subscribers,
Freeholders & Inhabitants of Epping and places adjacent in
said State, Shew, as causes why the Prayer of a Certain Peti-
tion now depending before this hon ble Court to remove Stratham
Bridge to the New Fields, should not be granted, the following
among other Reasons —
I** Because, upon survey of the River, and adjacent places a
former Committee of the general Court, Accompanied with
approved Engeneer, sent on purpose to examine the Premises
then adjudged, the Place where the Bridge now stands to be
NEW MARKET.
41
the best if not the only convenient place, to accomodate both
the Land and Water Carriage —
2 d,y Because the said Bridge being built by a Lottery many
Adventurers undoubtedly, risqued their money soly with a
view of having the Bridge established where it would best ac-
comodate them, which would not be the case were the same
to be removed as is now proposed —
3 dIy Because there is already a Subscription, which we con-
ceive will be full sufficient, to put the Bridge in good repair
much sooner than it could possably be removed —
4 tw y Because we conceive the great Utility of the Bridge will
ever be more likely to procure Subscriptions to keep it in
Repair in the Place where it now is, where it so well Accom-
odates the Public in general, than if it was removed where
(excepting the Present projectors, who may not always happen
to be so warm) it can Accomodate but very few —
Wherefore we humbly & mostly earnestly pray that the said
Petition may be dismissed —
Nathaniel Wiggin Levi Franch
Moses Davis
David Folsom
Winthrop Folsom
David Folsom Ju
Nath 11 Ladd
Josiah Clark
Samuel French
Josiah Tilton
Benj Straw
Daniel Dow
Lyford Dow
Benj Dow
John Parsons
Stephen Clark Jur
Job Parsons
Zebulon Dow
[8-49] [Deposition of
Hubartus
Bridge.~\
Neal relative to the
The Deposition of Cap' Hubartus Neal of Lawful Age Tes-
tifies and says, that he the Deponent has been well acquainted
with Exeter River for many year's, more particularly with
them Parts of said River, where both the Ferries were formerly
kept between Stratham & Newmarket, and says that at the
lower place where the Bridge is now built the Bottom is very
hard, & firm, and about Ten feet deepth of Water in the Chan-
nel at low Water, and the River is about four hundred feet
wide — The Deponent also says that at the Newflelds Landing
the River is about Two hundred and ninty five feet wide, &
from three to Six & half feet Deep and the Bottom, Sand &
loose Bottom —
And the Deponent further saith, that he viewed the said
Bridge last week & upon Examination the Deponent found the
Stone Abutments of said Bridge which extend about two hun-
dred & fifty feet, to remain almost intirely firm and good as
42 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
when first built, and also all them parts of the Piers below half
Tide.
Hubartus Neal
Feb. 6, 1786—
[Sworn before Samuel Gilman.]
1
£8-50] [Deposition of Captai?i Woodman relative to the
BridgeJ\
The Deposition of Cap' Archelaus Woodman of lawful
Age testifies & says that he the Deponent has been well
acquainted with the building Bridges many Years, & that
he the Deponent did last week at the Request of Commit-
tees from Divers Towns Examine & survey the Bridge over
Exeter River, & also the said River at the Newfields land-
ing — And says that almost all the Stone work of the Abut-
ments, & the Piers below half Tide is sound & good and
Appears to stand very firm & solid and the Deponent says he
found the Bottom there to be very level, & exceeding hard and
firm, and the Water about Ten feet deep at low water — And
also the Deponent says that he found the Bottom of said River
at the Newfields to be very uneven, and soft — and appeared to
the Deponent to be Sand or loose Gravel — and the water from
three to Six & half feet Deep —
Archelaus Woodman
Feb. 6 th 1787 —
[Sworn before Samuel Gilman.]
[8-52] [Deposition of Walter Bryent."]
The Deposition of Walter Bryent aged about Seventy five
years testifieth & saith that y e Deponant (with messers Hubar-
tis Neal & Archelaus Woodman) on the 4 th Instant measured y e
Bridge & took the Depth of the water below Low water mark
in the passages for water through said Bridge over y e River
from Newmarket to Stratham and found the warfe there Built
on the northwest Side of said River to be from the upland to
the first passage way one hundred Seventy & Six feet then a
passage for watter thirty & five feet & one half foot y n a peir
twenty three & one half feet then a passage thirty four feet
Broad Six feet & nine Inches Deep below Low watter mark
then a peir Sixteen feet Broad on which the highst Stands then
the passage for Vessels twenty nine feet Broad & Eight feet
NEW MARKET. 43
Deep on the top of the timber there which is more then two
feet high from y e Bottom of the River then a peir Sixteen feet
Broad then a passage forty five feet & one half Broad & Eight
feet & one half Deep below Low waiter mark (for Rafts &c to
pass in) to the Butment on the South East Side of the River
which Butment is Seventy feet to the upland & the Deponant
finds by Calculation that the passages for waiter below Low
watter mark where the Bridge Stands is by multipliing the
Bredth by the Depth Contains nine hundred Eighty & three
Square feet then the Deponant & Company moved to the new-
fields Landing & found the watter passages that may be there
may Contain below Low watter mark Seven hundred & nin-
teen Square feet the Difference is two hundred Sixty four
Square feet according to the Best of my Judgment the Bottom
at the Bridge is Level & hard the Bottom at the newfields is
more Sandy & Soft
Walter Bryent
[Sworn before Samuel Gilman.]
[Documents numbered 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, and 59, in the
manuscript volume, are petitions for the appointment of
Wentworth Cheswill as justice of the peace ; and number
60 is a petition for Eliphalet Smith. — Ed.]
[8-62] [Relative to Church Matters, I793>~\
At a legal meeting of the west Society in Newmarket held
at the New meeting house in said town the 29 th day of may
1793 by adjournment
Voted Cap' Joseph Young be moderator P T
Voted M r Ichabod Hilton Doc Nathaniel Kidder & Cap*
Andrew Gilman be a Committee to join a Committee of the
east society in said town to Petition the General Court for a
Repeal of an Act passed the 21 th Day of November A D 1777
dividing this town into two Societies —
Joseph Young moderator
A Copy examined by James Smith Society Clerk —
[8-63]
At a legal Meeting of the East Society in New market held
at the Newmeeting House in s d Town May 29 th 1793, by Ad-
journment —
44 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
1
Voted that M r Ichabod Hilton Doct r Nathaniel Kidder, an.
Cap* Andrew Gilman, be a Committee to join a Committee of
the West Society; to Petition the General Court for a Repc;
of Act passed the 27 th Day of November 1777, dividing this
Town into Two Societies —
Examined per Wentworth Cheswill Clerk
[8-64] [Petition relative to Church Matters, 1793.]
State of New hampshire —
To His Excellency the Governor, the Hon bl€ Senate & House
of Representatives in General Court conven'd at Concord
the first Wednesday of June 1793.
The Petition of the Subscribers Agents appointed at a Meet-
ing of the East and West Societies in Newmarket Notified
according to Law — humbly sheweth that in the month of No-
vember A D 1777 an Act passed the General Assembly of
said State dividing said Town into two Societies — The Opera-
tion of which from Experience has been found to be very
in convenient & prejudicial to the Intrest of the parties con-
cerned, — Wherefore they pray in behalf of said Societies that
the aforesaid Act may be repealed — And as in duty bound will
ever pray &c —
Ichabod Hilton
Nath 1 Kidder
And Gilman
Newmarket June 5 th 1793
[The act was repealed June 13, 1793. — Ed.]
[8-65] [Relative to Soldiers ivho died of Small- Pox, 1761.]
To His Excellency Benning Wentworth Esqr Governor &
Commander in Chief in and over the Province of New
Hampshire the Hon blc His Majesty's Council and House of
Representatives for said Province in General Assembly Con-
vened the Eighteenth Day of February 1761
The Humble Petition of the Select Men of Newmarket in
said province Shews — That Lieu 1 Samuel Baldwin and David
Doe Returning Home from the Army was taken Sick of the
r~
NEW MARKET. 45
Small Pox of which they Both Died which has been Vary Ex-
pensive to the parish of said Newmarket Lieut Samuel Bald-
win in his Sickness Cost the parish three Hundred Ninty four
pounds twelve Shilling and Six pence old tenor
and David Doe s Expence is one Hundred twenty Eight
Pounds three Shillings old tenor
Wherefore your Petitioners Humbly Pray that in your Great
Wisdom and Goodness you would Remitt the above Sums to
the Parish of said Newmarket and your petitioners as in Dutey
bound Shall Ever Pray &c
Hubartus Neal ~\
John Burleigh > Select men
Peter Folsom )
[The town was allowed .£20, 18, 2 J sterling. The fol-
lowing is a copy of the bill for necessaries furnished in
Baldwin's case :] \
[S-66]
Dec r 22 1760 The Select men of Newmarket Dr to John
mead for attending Samuel Baldwin Sick with the Small pox
to Quart of wine and Butter at 69s 6d £$— 9~6
to meat Sass and Butter at 108.? 6d 5- 8-6
to Candels at 325 1— 12-0
to Rum Suger and Sider at. 101^ 5— 1-0
To meat Brad and Sass 1 Lb of Suger at 7- 8-0
To 2 Quarts of Rum 3 Lb of Suger at 1045 5- 4-0
To Bread Honey and Rum at 33.? 1-13-0
To 2 Quarts of Rum meat and Bread 110s 5-10-0
To 2 Lb of Suger 2 Lb of Butter at 52s 2-12-0
To pork and Turnops 205- 1— 0-0
To meat and Sider at 1405 7- 0-0
To Rum and Suger at 91 s 4-1 1-0
To wine tea Sope and a Laman at 1265 6- 6-0
To Rum Suger and Sider 5- 0-0
To meat Bread and Sass 935 4-13-0
To 31b of Suger at 365 1-16-0
To Rum and Biscak at I— 5-0
To Rum and Suger at 1035 5— 3-0
To Beaf pork and Sass at 1305 6-10-0
To Beef pork and Sass at 365- 1-16-0
To Suger and Sider at 365 I-16-0
To Bread and milk at I— 4—0
To Sope Candels Cider and Rum at 915 4— 11-0
To meal Sider and Sass at 255- I— 5-0
46 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
To Rum Suger and Sope at 107^ 5- 7-0
To meat Bread Sass Cider &c at 118s 5-18-0
To Suger and Cider at 365 1-16-0
To Cheas meat Bread Sass and Suger 6- 3-0 j
To wood Rum pork and Beef at 10- 8-0 J
To Suger and Butter at 30? 1-10-0 1
Febeuary 14 th 1761 old tenor £122-16-0
Errors Excepted
per John Mead
[Sworn to before Thomas Young, Justice of the Peace.]
NEWPORT.
The township was granted, Oct. 6, 1761, to Nathaniel
Fish and others in sixty-eight equal shares. The grantees
were residents of Killingworth, Conn., and vicinity, and the
first settlers, six in number, came from that place in 1765,
cleared some land, sowed it with rye, and in the fall re-
turned and spent the winter in Connecticut. They came
to Newport again in June, 1766, five of them bringing their
families, and made permanent settlements. Not being able
to fulfil the conditions of the grant, the grantees applied
to the governor and council for an extension, which was
granted Feb. 2, 1769.
Newport was made the shire town on the formation of
Sullivan county in 1827, and has so remained ever since.
Mrs. Sarah Josepha (Buel) Hale, a writer of distinction,
and for many years the editor of a magazine called Godey s
Ladys Book, published in Philadelphia, was a native of this
town.
Newport did its full share in the Revolution, and in the
war for the suppression of the Slaveholders' Rebellion, and
is at present one of the prosperous towns of the state.
[8-75]
The Names of the Men Sojourning and Residing at Shugar
River and their Improvements
NEWPORT. 47
Benjamin Davis 4 acres
James Powers 5 acres
Nehemiah M c Neill 6 acres
John mash 6 acres
Moses Sparford 6 acres
John Lines 7 acres
By His Excellencys order
Nehemiah M c NeilI
[Moses Spafford afterward resided in Claremont. There
is nothing in the original to indicate what town these men
belonged to. — Ed.]
[8-76] [Petition for a new Grant of the TownsJiifi, 7/68.']
Province of New Hamp r
To His Excellency John Wentworth Esq r Captain, General,
Governor and Commander in Chief .in and over his Majesty s
Province of New Hampshire and Vice Admiral of the Same
in Council —
The Petition of Stephen Wilcox of Killingsworth in the
Colony of Connecticut Gentlemen, unto your Excellency and
the Hon ble Council Humbly shews —
That your Petitioner and the other Grantees of the township
of Newport, have been at incredible Expence in bringing for-
ward the Settlement of said Township, which is well known
to the Neighbouring Settlers; Your Petitio 1-8 have laboured
under such Discouragements for want of Roads and the Neces-
saries of Life &c that they have scarce been able to withstand
their Troubles, which Y r Petitioner sett forth in his Petition
exhibited the 5 th of October 1768 in behalf of Himself & the
other Grantees & prayed that they might be assisted by the
Nieghbouring Towns in laying out Roads: To his & their
great Surprize they have heard that Reuben Kidder Esq r of
New Ipswich, hath preferred his Petition for obtaining the Non
Residents Rights in said Township, which Petition we beg
Leave to represent unto your Excellency & Honours is both
unreasonable and unjust especially in said Kidder who already
owns more Land than he can conveniently settle, and would
strive to enrich himself with the Monies expended by many
poor People who have cheerfully contributed & payd their
Taxes and Labour in forwarding the Settlement — They hope
greater Indulgence and from your Excell cy known Candor to-
wards Encouragement of Industry they doubt not to obtain
48 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
1
your further fav™ by regranting to all the former Grantees y'
Continuance of their Rights under a New Charter, Your Peti-
tioners will readily pay the Expences of the Survey, when
they are duely informed of the Cost thereof: They rely on
Your Excellencys Favours and as in Duty bound he and they
shall ever pray —
Portsm Dec r 3 d 1768.
Stephen Wilcocks in behalf of Himself & the other Grantees
of the Township of Newport
[The time for complying with the conditions of the char-
ter was extended Feb. 2, 1769. — Ed.]
[8-77] [Return of Ratable Polls.'] ■
Agreeable to A request Sent us by General Assembly of
Sending them the Numbers of Male Polls of Twenty one Years
of age And upwards that Pay for them selves apolle Tax Wee
have Proceeded agreeable to said Request & Wee find the
Number to Be Eighty Nine Male polles that pay for themselves
A polle Tax Test-
Jed 11 Reynolds ~) c , . c
EzraParmele i Select men of
Jesse Willcocksj New P ort
Newport December the
8 th day 1783
[Sworn to before Moses Whipple, Justice of the Peace.]
[8-79] [Petition to have the Proceedings of a Town- Meeting
legalized, 1783 .]
State of New Hampshire —
To the Hon ble the Council and Assembly Convien'd at Concord
on the 2 d Tuesday in June 17S3 —
May it please Your Hon™
Your Petitioners in behalf and at the desire of the Inhabi-
tants of the Town of Newport in full Town Meeting Assem-
bled humbly Shew that thro' their inadvertence and other rea-
sons concuring they are in an unhappy situation with respect
to their Collecting the remaining part of the Taxes due to the
State which we Suppose tis in your hon r8 power and yours only
to grant us relief, for true it is y r Petitioners did not know till
NEWPORT. 49
lately that there was a Necessity for Town Inhabitants to take
the Oath of Fidelity in order to their being legally quallified to
Vote in Town Meetings, and as they have of late so if it is
Necessary in future they are willing to Conform but as some of
the Inhabitants in this Town Excuse themselves and refuse to
pay the outstanding Taxes, by reason our Town Meetings were
not warned according to Law ire: our Select Men had not
taken the Oath of Fidelity and consequently our Town-Officers
were not Legally Chosen, We therefore pray Y r Hon™ to Estab-
lish all our Town Meetings untill this time which would have
been legal in case the Oath of Fidelity had never been Enacted
and that they may be held legall to all Intents and purposes
whatsoever as they might or could have been before said Oath
of Fidelity became a Law of this State, or Otherwise in your
wisdom as it may Seem meet Enable your Petitioners to Col-
lect the remaining part of the Taxes due by this Town to the
State and Y r Petitioners as in Duty bound Shall Ever pray
Jed h Reynold ^ Select Men in behalf
Ezra Parmele y & for the
Jesse Willcocks ) Town of Newport
Newport May 29 th 1 783
[8-78] \_Remonstrance to the foregoing.]
To the Honourable the General Assembly of the State of New-
hampshire Convened at Concord the Second Tuesday June
Instant
The Remonstrance and Petition of the Under-signers Hum-
bly Sheweth that the Proceedings of the town of Newport
have for a Considerable time past been Illegal and Unjust.
Illegal because they have Acted directly Opposite to an Act
passed by the General Assembly of this State : which Act im-
poseth an Oath of Fidelity upon the Subjects of this State.
Unjust because of Votes that have been passed in town-meet-
ings, by a Small part of the Inhabitants of s d town, in particu-
lar their proceedings in Calling and Settling a minister; and
thereby disposing of publick Land, (for the particular Circum-
stances of the matter we would refer your honours to a certain
Objection Laid before the Rev d Council Met at Newport for
the purpose of Ordaining M r John Remele the 21" day of
January Last herewith presented) We your LIumble Petition-
ers therefore think it Expedient for the Peace and welfare of
the town to lay the Matter before your Honourable Body hum-
bly Praying your Interposition on our behalf that the Late
6 "
50
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Illegal and Unjust proceedings of this town may not be Estab-
lished by your Honourable body and we have that trust and
Confidence in our Legislators as not to think they will confirm
any proceedings So unreasonable and unjust ; and that no peti-
tion for that purpose may be granted — We would inform that
at a town-meeting after a Considerable debate, the body of the
people considering the meeting of no Validity withdrew ; after
which about Nine or ten Voted to send a petition to the gen-
eral Assembly for the afore 8d purpose of Establishing their
proceedings, —
but we would Submit the Whole Matter to your Candour
and Uprightness —
We humbly Request that your honours would give us direc-
tions for a Regular town-meeting that we may again Enjoy
peace and good Order —
Dated at Newport this 5 th day of June 1 783 —
Signers to the Above —
Abijah Windes
Bejamin Bragge
Reuben buel
Robert Lane
Benjamin Miller
Thomas Lane
Stephen Parry
Jonathan Comstock
Gorden Buel
Jeremiah Kelsey
Benajan Church
Samuel Church
Richard Goodwin
Aaron Buel
Phinehas Chapin
John Lane
Jesse Lane
John Megregory
Daniel Chapin
James Church
Giles Kelcey
William Haven
Elias Metcalf
Jonathan Wakefield
Nathan wardwell
Jeremiah Jenks
Daniel Buel
Simon Buel
Solomon Davis
[Rev. John Remele was ordained Jan. 22, 1783, and dis-
missed Feb. 10, 1 791. — Ed.]
[8-81] \_Action relative to Paper Money, iy86.~\
State of New-Hampshire Cheshire County ss.
Newport Nov r 20 th 1 786
Agreable to a requisition of the Hon rbl Assembly of said
State bearing date Sepf 14 th 17S6
The plan drawn by a Sub-Comm" for Emitting Paper Money
&c, being read in a Legal Meeting appointed for the purpose
that the Inhabitants of said Town may shew their minds re-
specting the same, when for farther consideration after Choos-
:
NEWPORT. 5 1
ing a Comm" to consider and make report the Meeting was
Adjourned to the 4 day of Dec r Met according to Adjourn-
ment, and
Voted Unanimously not to Accept the report above referr'd
to, but reject the whole thereof, the Number of Voters N° 96
The report of the Comm"
But we are Humbly of opinion that if the Hon bl Assem-
bly in their great Wisdom should grant, that the Possessors
of State Securities may draw out of the Treasury office if
they see cause, Certificates equal to the Amount of their
demand or any part of the same, and that said Certificates,
shall be Accepted in the Treasury at all times for State Taxes
it would be an Advantage to the Inhabitants of the State in
general but we Humbly Submit to Y r Superior Wisdom this
and all other Matters belonging to the Legislature.
Benj a Giles
Joshua Warner
Jesse Lane
Jeremiah Jenks
Ezra Pamley
Comm"
Voted that the report of the Comm" be accepted and it was
Voted Nem : Con :
the Number of Votors N° 96
. Certify P r us—
Aaron Buel ") c , , c
Samuel Church ' Select men for
Jesse Lane ) New P ort
[For action of the legislature, see Vol. XI, p. 130. — Ed.]
[R. 3-57] [ Concerning- Service in the Revolution.]
State of New Hampshire
The Hon ble the Council and House of Representatives at Exeter
Conven'd April the 14 th 17S4,
Benjamin Giles in behalf and at the request of the Select-
Men of the Town of Newport Humbly Sheweth
Your Petitioners ever since the opposition by the United
States against Great Brittain have willingly and readily com-
plied with all the requisitions made by Government for Sol-
52 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
1
diers, and were at great Expence beyond their ability being an
infant Town that Early in the year 1778, the Town had their
Quota of Men Enlisted some for three years and some during
the War. James Doud one of said Number was Enlisted
during the War, as may appear by Lieut. Will" 1 Hutchins Cer-
tificate Exhibited herewith, when the Regiments were reduced,
the Quota of Newport was four Men. We immediately upon j
the requisition hired three Men, and said Doud made the
fourth, and we never knew nor had the least Suspicion of being |
deficient, untill an Extent came against the Town for our whole j
Quota upon which sending to the Com" on Claims, found said i
Doud turned over to the Town of Weare Altho the town of ]
Newport was at considerable Cost to get said Doud Enlisted
and paid him £50 beside, and as said Doud was Enlisted by
Newport, and they never having any knowledge of Claim made \
by any other Town, Except as above recited, Your Petitioners \
Pray Y r Hon" to grant such relief as you in your Wisdom Shall
see Meet, and suffer not the poor Town of Newport to be op- j
pressed, who comply'd with their duty and never had opportu-
nity to make good their just and honest Claim i
And as in Duty bound shall : &C
Benj Giles in behalf of the
Select-Men of Newport
[R. 3-58]
White Plains September 9 th 1778
These may Certify all persons whome it may or shall Con-
sern that I James Doud for and in Consideration of Fifty pounds
to me in hand well and truly paid to me in hand by Constant
Hart of Charlestown in Behalf of the town of Newport in the
County of Cheshire and State of New Hampshire for Ingaging
as a Soldier in the Continental army for said town of New-
port — These are Therefore to Certify that I have Inlisted in
Capt. Nathaniel Huchins Company in Colo. Cillies Regiment
Newhampshire forces Dureing the war for the town of New- jg
port as above said and will Indevour Faithfully to Serve as 9
far as is in my Power untill Legally Discharged as witness my §
hand the day and date as above said *|
In presence of James Doud
Gilbert Caswell "" i
Will m Hodgkins
[In H. of Rep., April 16, 1784, the town was credited for
said Doud. — Ed.]
NEWTON. 53
i
NEWTON. I
[8-84] [ Thomas Walter Powers ordained, i7JS-~\
To all Saints of every denomination even the whole Family of
the faithfull & unto all in Civil Authority whom it may
Concern wishing all Increase of Grace, and all Temporal
good —
Know Ye that we the Subscribers elders of Several Churches
of Christ in this Land of the Baptis denomination &c, upon
the request & desire of Thomas Walter powers of New town
in the Province of New Hampshire and a number of Saints
with him in that place, & the neighb'ring towns have by our
elders, & Messengers Examined their articles of Faith, &
Church Constitution, as well as the Gifts, & Qualifications of
the said Powers and finding their faith & principles sound &
Aurthodox, & the said Powers endowed with gifts and Qualifi-
cations required for a Gospel minister we have after Seeking
to Almighty God by prayer & as we apprehend obtained divine
Light in the Case sit apart & ordained the said powers unto the
Pastoral office in that place, & do receive that people with their
Pastor into our Communion, & Fellowship, & have injoined
to watch over them as members of the mystical body of Christ
with our selves, & do declare them an Organnick Church in
this Community believing that in whatsoever measure the said
This town was granted Dec. 6, 1749, in answer to a peti-
tion from the inhabitants, and named New Town, the deri-
vation of which is obvious. Capt. Joseph Bartlett was
appointed by the governor and council to call the first
meeting. Documents relative to the formation of the town
may be found in Vol. IX. The southern boundary of the
town as chartered was to begin at the south-west corner of
South Hampton, on " the Curve Line that is the Northern
Boundary of our Province of the Massachusetts Bay and
bounding on the Said Curve Line & running on the same
South West nine degrees West one mile then South 28
West (by said Curve Line) one mile to Haverhill Line at a
Place called Brandy Brow."
The boundary line between this town and South Hamp-
ton was established by an act passed Jan. 4, 1772.
July 2, 1845, a tract of land was severed from East Kings-
ton and annexed to this town.
July 10, 1846, the name of the town was changed from
Newtown to Newton.
54 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Power hath been entangled with any error or with any errone-
ous Persons in any evil Conduct that the Lord hath Graciously
delivered them from the same, & we hereby do recommend
him to God, & the Power of his grace as a fellow Labourer in
the Kingdom, & patience of Jesus Christ praying that he & we
may be more & more delivered from all evil, and enabled to
walk in the truth of the Gospel &c —
Given under our hands this 10 th day of June AD 1755 —
Steph n Babcock pastor of the Chh of Christ in Stonington,
& Westerly in Union
Tho 8 Wells Pastor of the Church of Christ, in the Town of
Westerly in Kings County & Colony of R Island
James Rogers pastor of the Church of Christ in South Kings-
town in the County, and Colony aboves d Peter Werden pastor
of a Church of Christ in Warwick in the County of Kent &
Colony aforesaid, Benj n Peirce Pastor of a Church of Christ in
Warwick in the County aforesaid —
A True Copy att* H Wentworth Cl r
Copy Examind per Geo : Jaffrey Clr
[This was the first Baptist church established in New
Hampshire. — Ed.]
[8-82] [Bounds of a Highway, 1747 '.]
The Return of A Highway Persuent to a Petison to us
Directed Signed by Gidien Bartlet and others to y e Number of
Twenty Wee Have Bounded a Highway as followeth viz be-
gining at y e Countery Road leading from Sweets ferry to kings-
town on the north west Side of a Farm laid out to Jarrett
Hadden Said Way Being Bounded With a Stake and Stones
on y e South east Side ajasent to s d Farm thence Runing North
Easterly four Rods in wedth ajasent to s d Farm till it Comes to
a Stake and Stones Standing four Rods South weste of a White
Pine which is y e westerly bounds of a Farm laid out to George
martin y e s d Pine being a bound on y e north east of s d Way
and thence the said way Runs South easterly four Rods in
Wedth ajasent to the Farm laid out to George Martin till it
Comes to a White oak at y e South Corner of y e s d martins Farm
Dated October y e 29 th 1 747
Richard Collins ) Select men for
Samuel Collins ) South Hampton
District
A true Coppy taken of South Hampton District Book of
Records
Attest Richard Collins Clerk for y e District
1
1
NEWTON.
55
18-83]
[Relative to Road laid out, i6gg.~\
To the Select men of Salsbury and almsbury District Namly
m r Samuel Collings Richard Collings and william Rowell the
Petition of us the Subscribers humbly Sheweth that in the year
1698/9 a committee of the town of Almsbury layd out and
Bounded a lot or farm to one Garret Hadden Being the 18 th lot
in number and S d Committee then Bounded the S d lot on three
Sides on high ways that is northwest north East and South
East and the S d lot or farm have always Been under Stood to
be So bounded and the S d ways to Remain as a'privelidg to
the S d lot or farm and your Petitioner Gideon Bartlett having
Bought the north East part of S d lot and Settled himself ajoyn-
ing the way on that Side pleased himself that he Should have a
way to pass and Repass in But So it is that henary Bagley and
david Bagley haveing lands on the opposite Side of Sd way
Tiave presumed to joyn their fences to the fence of your Peti-
tioner Gideon and their by for these Seven years last past De-
prived your petitioner Gideon of that Privelidg of a way which
he and all man kind ought to have wherefore your Petitioners
pray that you will as soon as may be Proceed to bound out
Peticuearly the ways on the northwest and north East Sides
of Sd lot or farm that your petitioner Gideon may be in away
to take eney further Regular Steps to have an open way to pas
and Repass two and from his dwelling house and your Petition-
ers as in duty Bound Shall ever Pray &c dated at Salsbury and
almsbury district April the first 1747
Gideon Bartlett
Joseph Bartlett
Daniel kelley
Thomos Beedle
David Paslee
John Peaslee
Joseph Peaslee
gnoses Peaslee
Eliphelet hoyt
Jeames Paslee
Peter Colby
Nathan Peaslee
Moses Carlton
John Paslee Juner
Samuel Hadly
Enoch Brown
John martin
Stephen martin
Thomos davis
Moses Sanders
amos davis
Moses Davis
£8-86] [Action of Town- Meeting relative to Highways^
1755*]
monday November the 3 d 1755 the Inhabitants of Newtown
being mett at the meeting House the meeting was opened and
mr Moses Charlton was Chosen modrator of s d meeting at the
same meeting the foregoing Return was Red and it was put to
vote to see whether the town would allow of and accept of the
fore mentioned Highway and Return as now Red to them and
voted in the affimetive and the meeting was adjourned till tues-
$6 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
1
day y e Eighteenth day of november instant at one of the clock
after noon at the meeting house in said town tuesday november 1
the Eighteenth 1755 the Inhabitance of Newtown being mett \
upon adjournment at the meeting House at the same meeting
Timothy Lankester Enters himself Contridicent to and decent- |
ing from the fore going vote at the same meeting it was voted
to see if the town would Give up in Exchange to Capt Moses
sargent & Capt Stephen sargent that part of a Reserve of a
High way Lying between their Land and charls sargents Land
for the fore mentioned tw r o Rod way through their Land and
voted in the affimetive at the same meeting Gideon Bartlet
Esqu r and Joseph Bartlet and Gershom Bartlet Enter them
selves contridicent to and decenting from the Last foregoing
vote at the same meeting it was voted to see if the town would
Give up in Exchange to Andrew Whittier and Timothy Whit-
tier that part of a Reserve of a High way Lying Between their
Land and charls sargents Land for satisfaction to them for the
fore mentioned two Rod way through their Land and voted in
the affirmetive at the same meeting it was voted to see if the
Town would give up in Exchange to Henry Bagley and Corn 11
Jonathan Bagley & to Ens David Bagley two Rods in wedth of
that High way that Lyeth Between their Land and Land of
Gideon Bartlett Esqu 1 (that is two Rods in wedth on the north
side of said way next to their Land from the white oak bound
next to Samuel Jewells Land up to the white pine) for satis-
faction to them for the fore mentioned two Rod high way
through their Land and voted in the affirmetive at the same
meeting Gideon Bartlet Esqu 1 Joseph Bartlet & Gershom
Bartlet and Stephen Bartlet and Timothy Lankester Enter
themselves Contridicent to and decenting from the Last fore
going vote at the same meeting it was voted to see if the town
would Give up in Exchange to Charls Chase that part of a
Reserve of a High w r ay Lying Between his Land and Land of
Samuell Jewell in Satisfaction to him for the fore mentioned
two Rod High way through his Land and voted in the affirme-
tive at the same meeting Gideon Bartlet Esqu 1 Joseph Bartlet
and Gershom Bartlet & Stephen Bartlet Enter them selves
Contridicent to and decenting from this Last foregoing vote
at the same meeting it was voted to give to Joseph Bartlet
and Gershom Bartlet twenty pounds (old tener) for the fore-
mentioned two Rod High way through their Land voted in the
affirmetive at the same meeting: it was voted to alow and give
to Timothy Lankester forty pounds (old tener) for the fore men-
tioned two Rod High way through his Land voted in the
affirmetive
a true copy taken out of Newtown Records as attest William
Rowell town Clerk
NEWTON. 57
[8-85] [Relative to Highways, J/JS*1
To His Excellency Benning Wentworth Esq r Captain General
& Governour in Chief in and over his Majesties Province of
New Hampshire — and to the Honourable his Majesteis Coun-
cil and the Honourable House of Representatives for said
Province in General Assembly Convened Decem br 1755
The Petition of Joseph Peaslee William Rowell & Aaron
Currier Selectmen of New Town in Said Province in Behalf of
Said Province Humbly Sheweth —
That Some years past when Said Town was Cald & Ac-
counted part of Amsbury the Said Town of Amsbury Granted
& divided y e Lands now Called New Town to & amongst a
Number of their Proprietors & in laying out & dividing the
same some Lands were left or Reserved for highways — and
those Reserves were never Viewd & marked out Nor used
for highways but were left between lots as their lines run
through Low Sunken lands and Swamps where there is no
Possability of having Good roads and the People of y e town
used to pass and repass upon upland More Convenient for
highways. And the Town of New Town finding it Necessary
have laid out Suitable & Convenient highways near as may be
to ye other & in Such manner as that no mans Lott is Curt ofF
from a Convenient Public Road & have Ordered the Persons
whose lands are taken up for highways to have Some part of
y e lands reserved as before Mentioned for highways in Recom-
pence for their lands now taken which is to y e General Content
and Satisfaction of y e Town & Neighbourhood & Injury to no
Man but much more Commodious & Beneficial for y e Public —
But So it is that Gideon Bartlet Esq 1 " Joseph Bartlet Gershom
Bartlet all of Said Town who own lands Adjoyning to a Cer-
tain peace reserved as aforesaid for away where it is hardly
capable of being made Good & where they themselves cannot
be Proffited by it but rather hurt by it, Do unreasonably Op-
pose the Towns proceeding herein altho w their lands are not
thereby Cutt off from Some public open roads & high ways by
what y e Town has done yet great uneasiness & disturbance to
the Town is Occasioned by their Opposeing y e Towns proceed-
ing as aforesaid and it is likely that more Troubles May arise
thereby — wherefore to Prevent the Same — your Petitioners
humbly pray — That Some Good & Suitable Persons understand-
ing Such affairs May be appointed and Directed by this Hon bl °
Court to repair to y e place and View the Several highways &
the lands reserved for high ways as aforesaid and report thereon
to this Hon b,e Court as they shall find y e Truth relating to y e
Premisses and that this Hon 1>le Court will be pleased to Ratify
1
58 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
and Confirm what the Said Town of Newtown have done about
& Concerning the Same — & yo r Petit" shall Pray &c
Joseph peaslee 1
William Rowell j
[In H. of Rep., January 14, 1756, Joseph Smith and
Thomas Westbrook Waldron were appointed a committee
to " view the several highways and report." The senate
added John Downing. Their report follows. — Ed.]
[8-90] [Report of the Committee.]
Wc the Subscribers a Committee appointed the fourteenth
and fifteenth of Jany Last by both Houses on the Petition of
the Select-men of New r town to View the Highways Reserves
&c a — therein refer'd to have in consequence of Said appoint-
ment been at Said Newtown taken a View of Said Roads &
Reserves Also heard what the Said Select-men (Gideon Bart-
let Esq r ) & others mentioned in Said Petition had to offer on
the affair & having considered of the Same together with the
Papers relative thereto laid before us —
Do report as folio weth viz —
That 'tis our opinion that it will be for the interest & con-
veniency of the Inhabitants of Said Town that the prayer of
Said Petition should be granted which is Submissively offered.
Portsm Feb 24 1756 By
John Downing ~\
Joseph Smith y Committee
Tho 8 W k Waldron)
[The foregoing report was adopted by the legislature,
Feb. 9, 1758.— Ed.]
£8-87] Petition for opening a Highway.]
Province of Newhampsher
Newtown Deer the 4 th 1755 to mesurs Joseph Peasley Will-
iam Rowel, and Aaron Currier Selectmen for Newtown in Sd
province the Petisian of us the subscribers humbly sheweth
that whereas there are divers highways or Reserves of land
between the Manns or Lots of several persons within Sd Town :
Left or reserved for the use of the inhabitants and others for
travelling &c as a highway or reserve beginning at the Coun-
try road Leading from kingstown to Swets ferry so Cald at the
South end of the Long Casway so Cald: and running easterly
between the farm origenelly W m Barns on the north and Land
NEWTON. 59
now in the possession of David Peasley and Charles Sargent on
the south till it Corns to a pine tree at the west Corner of the
fFarm origenelly Georg martin now in possession of the Baglys
and then Sd way runs S° easterly between the ffarms of the Sd
martin on the N° east and the fFarm of Garret Hadden on the
S° west till it Corns to another highway or reserve running N°
east between the ffarms of Sd martin on the n° west and ffarms of
waiter tailer and Gove on the S° east till it Corns to a white
oak tree at the East Corner of Sd martins fFarm where the Sd
way Corns nere South hampton line and meets with an other
highw r ay that leads N° easterly to an open road leeding to the
trickling fals so Cald as also an other highway or reserve that
runs from the highway between the farm of Sd martin on the
n° west and the farms of waiter Tailer and Gove on the
S° east S° easterly between the ffarms of Sd gove on the
n° East and the farm of waiter tailer on the S°west till it Corns
to an open road nigh the meeting house in Newtown above Sd
all which ways or Reserves have for several years past been
incumberd Shut up and Stopt to the grate dameag of the Pub-
lick in general as well as your humble petitions in perticuler
wherefore we humbly Request that you will as soon as may lay
open and Clear all Sd ways or Reserves within Sd toun as
above mentioned and youl oblige your humble Petitioners as in
duty bound shall Ever Pray
micah Hoyt Cuting feavour Daniel Goodwin
John Eliet iur Gideon Bartlet Nathaniel Colby
Philip Challis Joseph Bartlet Abraham Kimball
Gideon Colby Garshom Bartlet jeams George
Jonathan kimball Stephen Bartlet
Zebulon ferren John Elliot
[8-88] [This document is a crude plan of the highway,
with the names of residents on it. Commencing at the west
end, at the "Contry Road," the names are John Challis,
Joseph and Gershom Bartlett, Moses and Stephen Sargent,
Widow Merrill, Charles Sargent, Timothy Whittier, An-
drew Whittier, David Bagley, Jonathan Bagley, Henry Bag-
ley, Samuel Jewell, Charles Chase, and Timothy Lancaster.
At the east end is the " Meeting hous." — Ed.]
[8-89] \_Inhabitants consent to action of the Selectmen,
'75S-]
Newtown January 2 — 1755
We the subscribers here by shew our consent to and accept-
ance of what the select men of sd newtown have Lately done
1
60 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
in Respect of the new high way Lately Laid out and also our
Consent to what the town has done in giving up in Exchange
some reserves of high ways in satisfaction for said new way
Andrew Whittier Jacob Rowell Samuel jewel ju |
david baerley m, * a u Thomas Bedel
* J Thomas X greenfield r Qhn Peaslee
Zaccheus X Colby Timoth /& hittier J Moses Carleton
Nathan Peaslee nathaniel ash Nathaniel Peaslee
Charles Sargent David Peaslee
henry bagley Nathan Hoag
James Peaslee Reuben hoyt Enoch Brown
Christopher Rowell Samuel Jewel Moses Peaslee j
Caleb X hobbs
mark
[8-91] ^Petition of several Baptists to be exempt from being
taxed for the support of the Congregational Church .]
March 28 1764 To the inhabitants of Newtown met at the
annual Meeting we whose names are hereunto annexed do Re-
quest that you would Exempt us from being taxed for the Sup-
port of the Congregational minister in this town for as much as
we have attended the worship of God and the preaching of the
Gospel in the Baptist Society and Paid our part for the Support
of the Gospel there for a number of years Even from before the
time that any Congregational Minister was Settled in this town
and are Still bound in concience to do the same
ffrancis Chase Timothy Whittier Bennjamin Carter
Robert Stuart Josiah fowier Josiah fowler iuner
Andrew Whittier John Carter thomas Carter
at the annual Town meeting of the Town of Newtown Held
at the meeting House march y e 2S 1764 this petition was Laid
Before the Town and Considered of and voted to see if the
Town would Grant the petitioners their Request and the vote
past in the negetive and the petition not granted
[8-92] [ Warrant for Town-Meeting, iy68.~\
Province of New Hampshire
To John Peaslee Jur Constable for New town — Greeting —
You are hereby Required to warn the Inhabitants of said
town Qualified for voteing to meet at y e Congregational meet-
ing House in s d Town on monday y e 15 : of august at 3 of y e
NEWTON. 6 1
Clock in the afternoon then when met: ily to Chuse a mod-
rator : 2ly to see if the Town will (Exclusive of frinds & y°
Church People) Pay the Cost which hath arose by Reason of
the Babtis People being Rated to y e Congregational minister :
3ly to See if the town w r ill Joyn with y e people which Live at
y e East of the town Belonging to South Hampton and with
the people on y e north west of the town Belong to kingstown
and petition to y e General Court to be Enext to Newtown :
4ly to See if the Town will agree to Devide the town : 51V to
See if the Town will approve of what the Select men have
Done in Stakeing out to Charls Chase two Rods of the way by
y e Wd Jewell Land for a way across s d Chases Land : fail not
make due Return to us of this woran : with your doings at or
before the Date above mentioned
Dated at Newtown agust y e first 1768
Joseph Peaslee ) Select men
Francis Chase j for Newtown
[Proceedings at aforesaid Meeting. ~\
Province of New Hamp h
Persuant to a warant from y e Select men to me Derect I have
warned y e Inhabitants of newtown as within mention 4 per me
John Peaslee Jur Constable for Newtown Dated at new town
august y e 15 : 1768
Province of New Hampshr
at a Leagal meeting y e Inhabitants of Newtown being met at
y e Congregational meeting House on monday y e 15 : of august
A D 1768 the meeting being opened Cap David Bagly be mod-
rator at the Same meeting the town appointed a Committee to
See if they Could agree to Devide the town and y e meeting was
adjourned to y e 1 : of September y e 1 : 176S the Inhabitants of
newtown being met according to adjournment Cap David
Bagly being modrator at the same meeting the Committe
Brought in their Report that they Could not agree at the Same
meeting it was put to vote to petition to the General Court to
Devide the Town and the vote pased in y c affirmative Instantly
Joseph Peaslee James Peaslee moses Peaslee Francis Chase
Nathan Hoag John Peaslee Juner Entred their decents against
the Last vote its not being according to the warrant
a true Coppy taken out of Newtown town Book of Records
as attest —
William Rowell town Clerk
[8—97] [ Trouble concerni?ig a Town- Meeting, iy6g."\
[Petition of Moses Carleton and Gideon Bartlett, addressed
to the General Assembly.]
The Petition of us the Subscribers for our Selves, and in be-
half of the Major part of the Inhabitants of the Town of New-
ton in the s d Province
Most Humbly Sheweth That at the Annual Meeting of the
Inhabitants of the said Town on the 29 th of March last for the
Choice of Town officers, Matters were transacted b} r a Minor
obstinate Party in such an Illegal Unjustifiable manner as was
never heard of before in any Town in this Province, nor (per-
haps) in any other on this Continent, to Convince Your Excy
and Honors of the truth of which your Petitioners beg leave to
relate (very briefly) the proceedings at the said Meeting — Vizt
The Meeting was opened by the Constable M r John Peasley
Jun r who nominated M r Nathan Hoag for the Moderator who
was Negatived, then the said Constable named, M r Joseph
62 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[8-93] [Proceedings at Town- Meeting, iy6g.~\
A meeting of the Inhabitants of the town of Newtown Held
at the Congregational meeting House in s d Town on monday I
ye j^th jj) a y f October 1769 at the Same meeting voted that
Captain William Rowell and Aaron Currier be a Committee to
prefer a petition to the Great and General Court of s d province |
in the name & Behalf of the Town Humbly to Request the I
said Court to Resolve and finely to Settle the affaire Respect- \
ing those persons in this town who Call themselves by the j
name of B aptis that it may be known : whether all those per-
sons or any of them are by Law Exempted from paying toward
the Support of the Congregational minister in this Town voted j
in the affirmative. f
at the Same meeting voted that y e said William Rowell &
Aaron Currier be a Committee to prefer a petition to y e said \
General Court in the name & Behalf of the Town for those \
persons who Live to the East of this Town (Belonging to
South Hampton) who have a desire to Come to us that they
may be annexed on to Newtown and the said Rowell and Cur-
rier are here by Impowered & Authorized to do the Same ac-
cordingly voted in the affirmative.
A true Coppey taken out of Newtown town Book of Rec-
ords as attest —
William Rowell Town Clerk
NEWTON. 63
Peasly to be Moderator which also passed in the Negative It
was then motioned and Seconded by numbers that the Consta-
ble should Nominate M r Aaron Currier or Lieut Carleton, but
he refused to do it and Nominated M r Moses Peasley, who was
also Negatived, a number then again Insisted upon the said
Carleton or Currier's being put up for Moderator but the Con-
stable a Second time refused to Nominate either of them — That
after some time the said Constable again Nominated the said
Joseph Peasley who is his Father and declared him to be chosen
Moderator without putting the Negative Vote — which proceed-
ing caused such a Tumult and Confusion that the vote was not
recorded, Then it was Insisted upon that the officers should be
Chosen by written votes — that the Select Men then declared
they did not care who was Chosen for Moderator provided they
would Chuse the Select Men as follows vizt One Quaker One
Baptist and One Congregationalist — but that if they did not
Choose 'em in that manner they would purge the House — after
which Esq r Bartlett Nominated Lieut Carleton for Moderator
and desired that those who were for him would draw to the
fore door w ch as they were doing the Constable again suddenly
nominated the said Joseph Peasly and declared him chosen
Moderator and he took his Seat accordingly altho' besides those
within there was near 30 at the Door who held up their hands
in the Negative and would have made a Majority had they been
Counted but this was not permitted — Then the Select Men
read the names of those who they said were qualified Voters —
and said they would not allow of any others to vote — the Peo-
ple not contented with this rule put their votes into the Hatt,
but those that were suspected not to vote as the Select Men
would have 'em, had their votes thrown out of the hatt Thus
the Meeting was purged of the Major part of the Qualified
Voters in the Town while persons of little or no Substance
but in the same side with the Select Men were by them de-
clared Qualified Voters — whereupon the Major part of the
Town greatly displeased at these violent Arbitrary proceedings
left the Meeting, which was carried on but by few of the In-
habitants consisting Chiefly of Quakers & Schemers who if
suffered to go on in such Tyrannical measures will entirely
Subvert and Destroy the Peace and Quiet of the s d Town
Your Petitioners therefore most humbly request that your
Excellency and Honours would be pleased to make a Strict
Enquiry into the proceedings at s d Town Meeting, and if (as
we doubt not but they will) they shall appear Illegal and Unjust,
that you will as such set aside all the Votes and proceedings of
the said Meeting, and Impower the Town to convene together
for the Choice of their Town Officers for the Present Year and
y* you would be pleased to appoint some Indifferent Person for
6 4
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
a Moderator — And your Petitioners as in Duty Bound shall
Ever Pray &c
Portsmouth April 3 d 1769 —
Moses Carleton
Gideon Bartlett
[8-98 J [ Committee appointed to Petition the Legislature. ~\
We the Subscribers inhabitants of Newtown in the Province
of Newhampshire Being Dissatisfied with the Proceedings of
the Select men & Some Other of the inhabitants of s d town at
our Annual Meeting held March 29 th 1769 — Do Hereby Con-
stitute & appoint Leut Moses Carleton & Gideon Bartlet as a
Committee to make Aplication on our behalf to the General
Court of s d Province that we may have a redress of our Gre-
vencies by Being Restored to former Prevelidges —
Newtown March 30 th 1769 —
David Elliot
Benj a Hoyt
Stephen Bartlet
Samuel Hoit
Nicholas Colby
Jacob Rowell
John Currier
Thomas Gould
Joseph Elliot
Thomas Elliot
Nathaniel Colby
Jonathan ferrin
aquiler ferrin
Daniel Colby
David Currier
Aaron Currier
moses Currier
mathias Bartlet
Richard Bartlet
David Bagly
abraham Colby
Ruban Hoyt
Zacches Colby
Ephriam Colby
Timothy Gorge
Jonathan Kimball
Roger Esman
Stephen Esman
Jonathon watson
Timothy Elliot
Thomas Colby
Thomas Colby Juner
David Goodwin
Samuel Goodwin
Gideon Bartlet
Ellifelet Bartlet
micah Hoyt
Thomas Greenfield
Joseph Bartlet
Timothy Favour
Phinehas ash
Nathanel ash
Isaac Elliot
zebediah Hoyt
William Rowell
Junur
John favour
Daniel morss
Noah Seargent
Samuel Seargent
Philip Seargent
Barzella Colby
David Sargent
Cutting favour
[8-96] [Deposition of Be?ijamin Aforse, relative to a Toivn-
Meeti?ig, 1769.]
The Deposition of benjamin morss of amesbury of Lawfull
age testifieth & saith that he was at y e Anuel town meeting of
the town of nevvtown in y e province of Newhampshire march
y e 29 th 1769 for the Choice of town officers & on oppening y e
meeting there was two Strong partues one partue was m r Ames
NEWTON. 65
hearers the other partue y e Quakers & Churchmen & m r hov-
eys herers & the Constable John peaslee who was on y e Quak-
ers partue nominate Nathan hoag for a moderator for s d meet-
ing he was nagatived by a majority of voters then Joseph peslee
was nagatived as a moderator and several others of that partue
"wear nagatived as moderators & wear all nagatived by a ma-
jority of voters then I heard Some of mr ames partue desire y e
Constable John peslee to put up Som of their partue namly
Leut moses Carlton for a moderator and others of that partue
he Refuse or neglects to do it & further y e Deponant says he
heard Som of mr ames partue Desiere the house might vote
for a moderator Soon after I herd Esq r bartlett Desire y e people
who ware for having Leut moses Carlton to be moderator to
go out at y e fore Door of y e meeting house & on that I See y e
people Rushing out of y e Door hastily & before they wear all
out I turned my hed tords y e Quakers & y e other partue & See
their hands up which I thought was for a moderator on that I
heard a grate Storr abrod & See y e peopl of mr ames partue
returning in to y e meeting house apace & holding up their
hands as I Soposed against y e other partue vote for a mod-
erator & I heard y e Quakers partue Declare Joseph peaslee
moderator on that I'Se Joseph peslee take y e Seat as a mod-
erator & further I heard Sum of y e Quakers partue ask mr
John peaslee who was a Quaker why he Did not vote amongst
them he Replyed Like an onest man tho he was a Quaker &
on their partue he Replyed to them he thought y e meeting was
not Reguler he would not vote till they ware more Reaguler
the Deponant further says he dont Remember he Ever Saw so
Ereguler meeting & further says not
Benjamin Morss
[Sworn to before Isaac Merrill of Amesbury, April 20, 1769..]
[8-99] [Depositions relative to Illegal Proceedings in Town-
Meeting.^
The Depossien of Enoch Chase & Ebenezer Sargent both of
Amesbury of Lawfull age Testify & say that they Being at y e
Town meeting in Newtown in New Hampshire on y e Last
Wednesday of march Last Being y e 29 Day of s d month & when
we first wint into y e meeting house where y e people ware gath-
ered together & they preposed two men for a moderator &
agreed to Devide y e house & one part to moove out at y e fore
Door & y* other to goo out at y e west Door and a great part of
y* people who Belong to mr ames went out at y e fore Door and
as soon as they ware out and a going out y e other party Staying
in y* meeting House some Body y e s d Sargent says it was John
7
66 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
1
peaslee son to Joseph peaslee put up Joseph peaslee for a
modrator while y e other party was out and going out of y*l
meeting house and y e party that was within Chose s d peaslee j
moderator as they Declared Contrary to y e Minds of y e other I
party and s d peaslee took y c place of moderator and ordered y e j
people to Bring in there voats for a Town Clark those who |
ware Qiialifyed to vote for they had goot a List of who ware |
Qualifyed and as y e peaple were Bringing in their votes mat- j
theas Bartlet offere his vote and y e modrator Drew Back his hat j
and Refused his vote and Several others who offered their vots
and was Denied by y e modrator and y e s d Sargent farth Sayeth
that y c modrator turned up his hat wherein y e votes ware with-
out asking whether they ware all in and Some of them Sayd
that they had not put in their vote and perticuler Joseph Bart-
let .Esq 1 * and they further say that y e modrator took out sevarall
votes out of y e hat Layd them on y e table and after he had
Counted them he said that Francis Chase was Chosen Town
Clark and as lie Lifted up his arm we saw severall votes which
was unted his arm not Counted and further sayeth not
Dated april 15 : 1769
Enoch Chase
Ebenezer Sargent
[In H. of Rep., April 21, 1769, the proceedings of the
aforesaid meeting were declared illegal and void ; and Me-
shech Weare was authorized to call a meeting and act as
moderator of the same until the business was finished. —
Ed.]
[8—100] \_Relative to Trouble between the Churches, 1770.]
[Petition of William Rowell and Aaron Currier, addressed
to the General Assembly.]
The humble Petition of William Rowell and Aaron Currier
both of Newton in said Province as Agents for said Town
Shews —
That a number of the Inhabitants of said Town have sepe-
rated from the Congregation of public Worship in said Town
as settled by Law of the Province and have gathered a sepe-
rate Assembly witli the assistance of some Persons from other
places and built a Meeting-house calling themselves Baptists
and refuse to pay the Taxes made for the support of the Min-
ister of said Town pleading the exemption by the Province
Law — On which many Lawsuits have been prosecuted which
have had various issues and been very expensive — That the other
NEWTON. 67
Inhabitants of said Town have offered to set them off or to con-
sent to it that they might be a seperate Parish or District and
have no connection with the other part of said Town which
they refuse and they joining with the Quakers make a Majority
so controul the public Affairs of the Town that they are often
put to difficulty to get a Vote for raising the Charges of their
Minister's Support
Wherefore your Petitioners humbly pray that the said Bap-
tists may be set off entirely from said Town and have nothing
to do with them or that they may by a Law for that purpose
be rated according to their abilities to all charges as well to the
support of the Minister as any other and the part they pay to
the latter be given to them to support their own mode of Wor-
ship or grant such other relief to your Petitioners and their
Constituents as in your great Wisdom and goodness you shall
judge proper and they shall ever pray &c
William Rowell
Aaron Currier
[Petition of Phillips White, Abel Brown, and Moses French,
addressed to the General Assembly.]
The Petition of us the Subscribers being a Committee chosen
for the Town of South-Hampton most humbly sheweth
That the said Town of South Hampton suffer great Incon-
veniencies for want of a Line settled and established between
the said Town of South Hampton and the Town of Newtown
there being more than twenty persons in said South Hampton
which claim to belong to Newtown part of whom might be
as well accommodated by being joined to South Hampton and
a number more of South Hampton that might be as well ac-
commodated by being joined to Newtown. Your Petitioners
therefore pray a Line may be settled between the said Towns
in such a manner as not to enlarge the one at the expence of
the other but to make both equal to what they now are and that
a Committee may be appointed to enquire into the circum-
stances of the case and report such a Line as may effect the
purposes aforesaid. And your Petitioners as they are in duty
bound will every prav &c
Phillips White
Abel Brown
Moses French
[In H. of Rep., Jan. 3, 1771, the parties were heard on
the foregoing, and a committee, consisting of ''Daniel
Peirce Esq. Capt. John Giddinge & Doctor Ebenezer
Thompson" was appointed to "settle the line between the
68 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
said Towns in such place as shall appear to them proper."
The following is their report : — Ed.]
Province of New Hampshire, April 24 th 1 771 -
Pursuant to the within appointment the subscribers have
viewed the Towns of South Hampton and Newtown and heard
what each party thought fitt to offer on the subject matter of
their dispute and after mature deliberation and consideration
do agree to report that a line fixed in the manner hereafter de-
scribed will be Equitable, and more satisfactory to both Towns 1
than any other that can at present be established, and therefore
beg leave to recommend to confirmation of the same which
is as follows Viz. Beginning at the Province line at a place 1
called and known by the name of Pond Brook thence westerly
on the North side of the Highway that leads to Philip Curriers
dwelling House until it comes to said Philip Curriers land
thence Northerly on the line between said Philip Currier and
Challis Curriers land to the Highway that leads towards said
Challis Currier's House. Thence Northerly on the westerly
side of said Highway until it comes, to land belonging to Lieut.
Thomas Tewksbury thence Southerly and westerly by said
Tewksbury land and land of the said Challis Currier and land
of the Widow Judith Currier until it comes to the Highway
near Charles Collins House Thence Northeasterly on the East
side of the Highway that leads to Bugsmore Hill (so called)
until it comes opposite to the Northeasterly corner of Jonathan
Kimballs Land thence across said road westerly between said
Kimballs Land and land of the afores d Lieut. Thomas Tewks-
bury and between said Kimballs land and land belonging to
the heirs of Timothy Bagley Deceased until it comes to the
road that leads to Aspen hill (so called) thence Northerly on
the Easterly side of said road until it comes opposite to the
Northeasterly corner of Aaron Curriers Land thence across
said road and running Northwesterly by s d Aaron Curriers
Land until it comes to Kingston line.
The charge of the Committee to be paid Equally by the two
Towns.
D. Peirce \
John Giddinge > Committee
Ebenezer Thompson j
[The foregoing report was adopted, and the line estab-
lished by the legislature. — Ed.]
[8-102] [Relative to the Assessment of Taxes, 1777.]
Att a Leagall meeting held at Newtown at the Congrega-
NEWTON. 69
tional meeting on the third Day of February y e 1777 att the
same meeting voted that the Select men Do Essess the inhabi-
tants of said town agrable to that part of the Presept Reciv'd
from Nicholas Gilman Esq r tresuery "to the velleu of Seventeen
pounds five Shillings as Demanded by s d Presept 2ly voted that
the twelve pounds mentioned in said presept under the pre-
tence of its Being a Debt Deu from this town to a former Con-
gress in our oppinion is unjustly Charged against said town
therefore : 3ly voted that the Select men of said town are hear-
by forbid assasing the inhabitants of said town for the s d twelve
pounds or any part of the same and that the inhabitants of this
Town will vindecate and bare harmless the Select men of said
town in their obedience to these orders —
The above votes being Seyerill times Red and after Metuer
Deleberation ware put and they past in y e affarmative by a
Grate mejority at y e same meeting y e town voted that the Select
men should aquant Nicholas Gilman Esq r Tresuery the pro-
seedings of the above Resolves —
A True Coppey Samuel Hoit Town Clerk
[The twelve pounds was for the payment of services of
Joseph Bartlett, as representative, whose right to a seat the
town had contested. They succeeded in unseating him.
See following : — Ed.]
[8-105]
To the hon b,e the House of Representatives for the State of
New-Hampshire now sitting at Exeter Humbly Shew —
The Subscribers Inhabitants of the Town of Newton in
said State, that at a late meeting held in said Town, for the
Choice of a Person to represent said Town and Southhampton,
in the General Assembly of said State the ensuing Year — One
Stephen Bartlett was by a very small Majority, of the small
number of Voters present, chosen to said Important Trust and
has taken his seat accordingly ; That for many Reasons we
esteem him unqualified for that Place — more especially because
he is not possessed of an Estate of the Value of two Hundred
Pounds Lawful Money, as we understand each Member of said
House should be — Wherefore we pray that his Seat in said
house may be declared Vacant and that a Warrant may issue
to said Towns, for a new Choice and as bound shall pray &c
Newton December the 19 th 1776
Moses Carleton Richard Bartlet
Mathias Bartlet Ephraim Carter
thomas Carleton John Elliot
matthias heath Sargent Heath
70 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[R. 3-59] [Soldier's Order, 1784,^
Newtown December the 14, 1784
To the Paymaster of the New Hampshire Six months men in
1 78 1.
Sir, Please to pay Jn° Nicholls or order all that is due to me
I having been a Six months man for the Town of Newton in
in year 1781. Value Received Witness my hand
Attest
t-v ,7 u . thomas X Colby
Dolly Harnman mark J
NORTHFIELD.
The township was set off from Canterbury, June 19, 1780, 1
and incorporated by its present name probably because it
comprised the north part of said town. This was done in
answer to a petition from the inhabitants (see Vol. XI, \
p. 270), and in accordance with a vote of the town of Can-
terbury, passed March 18, 1779, which vote also provided
that " Cap 1 Josiah Miles, David Foster, Cap fc Edward Blan-
chard & En sn Archelaus Miles be a committee to run a Line
of division." The inhabitants met July 17,. 1780, and elect- J
ed their first town officers. Settlements were made here in j
1760 by the Blanchards and others, and the town contained
349 inhabitants in 1786. 4
A portion of this town was severed by an act approved
Dec. 24, 1828, combined with portions of Salisbury, An-
dover, and Sanbornton, and incorporated into the town of
Franklin ; but the same territory was reannexed to North-
field by an act approved July 3, 1830. The same territory
was again severed from Northfield and. annexed to Franklin,
June 26, 1858.
June 27, 1861, lands of Samuel Heath and Edward Leigh-
ton were severed from this town and annexed to Franklin.
[8-106] [Relative to first Town- Meeting, 1780J]
Agreable to the Order of the Hon ble the General Assembly I
Notified a Meeting of the Inhabitants of the Town of North-
field on the seventeenth of July last past when they met &
chose Town Officers as the Law directs.
Portsmouth Oct r 30 th 1780 Abiel Foster
N0RTHF1ELD. J\
|[R. 3-60] [Petition of Thomas Lyford, Soldier.']
To the Honb 1 Council and house of Representatives Now Sit-
ting at Concord —
The'Petition of Lieut Thomas Lyford of Northfield Humbly
Sheweth that your memorialist early entered into the service of
this State in the year 1775 — and by order afterwards in the year
1 777 was appointed Lieut in Major Whitcombs Core of Ran-
gers and served in the same until] January 17S1 when General
Washington ordered the officers of said Core should Retire on
half pay for life that your memorialist was ordered by said
Whitcomb to march said Whitcombs men to head Quarters
whereupon the Soldiers were mutinous and would not march
when ordered thereto and your memorialist proceeded to head
Quarters from Haverhill to the North river and mad report of
the Same to Gen 1 Heath the commanding officer then at west
point. * * * *
Thomas Lyford Lvt
Concord June the 21 st 1782.
— '
s[R. 3-61] [Soldiers' Orders.]
Northfield Jany 6 th 1785
To the Treasurer of the State of New Hampshire
Sir Please to pay Gilman or his order all that is due
to me I having been a Soldier in the 1st New Hampshire Reg-
iment.
Value Rec d Witness my hand
hit
Attest John Nichols William X Rhines
mark
[R. 3-62]
Northfield December 12, 1785
To John T. Gilman Esq Treasurer for the State of New
Hampshire
Sir Please to pay Colo Ebenezer Webster all the wages and
Bounty Due to me for serving six months in the army under
said Webster for the State of New Hampshire.
as witness my hand
£ 10. 7. Edward Diah
j[R. 3-63] Northfield August 5 th 1792
M r Treasurer Sir please to pay Joshua Pickering or bearer
72
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
whatever wages and Rations which may be do to me for it
Cervice in the New Hampshire Line it being value Received
Witness my hand Edward X Smith
mark
W Benjamin Kimball
William Stevens
Benning Pickering
[8-107] [Relative to Civil Magistrate, 1785. ,]
m
march 7 y e 1785 Northfield
it is our Desire whos name are under writing that thomos Gil-
man Asq r should Be continued as a Just of the peace
Jonathan wodly william kenston William Gliens
James Shapord Stephen Haines John Cross
Joseph Call Nath 1 Dearborn thomas Cross
[8-1 10]
Northfield March
shall Be continued a
William witcher
Nathaiel Perkines
John Perkins
Robart purkines
Aaron Stevens
Jonathan Sanborn
Reuben Witcher
James Much more
Jonathan Gilman
Samuel T. Gilman
Nathaniel witcher
Abraham dearborn
the 2 1785 ittis our minds that Esq glman
s Justes of the peas —
Thomas Lyford
fifield liford
Jonathan Witcher
Jonathan Leavitt
Wadligh Leavitt
Arch 8 Miles
John Simons
william Dyer
Richard Blanchard
william williams
William frest
Gideon Leavitt
John Forest
Jacob Heath
Jeremiah McDaniel
Ezekiel Clough
Thomas Clough
Jese Cross
James Simons
James Sherburn
Daniel Randel
James L. Perkins
Aaron Stevens Juner
Jonathan Sherburn
[8-108I
[Relative to a Ferry, 1785.]
To the Honourable the Senate & house of Representatives of
the State of Newhampshire Now Setting at Concord we the
Subscribers Inhabatents of the Parrish of Northfield & the
Neighbouring Towns have for many years Labourd under many
Inconveniances for Want of Som Person to keep a ferry a Cross
Merrimack River Between Northfield & Salsbury & now un-
derstanding that Rob 1 wise has Petitioned your Honours for a
grant of a ferry acros S d River for three miles half up & half
NORTHFIELD.
73
doon we Pray that he may have it where he has Petetiond for
& your Petitioners as in Duty bound Shall Ever Pray
Northfleld Oct r 24*
James Hersey
John Samborn
Jeremiah Sanborn J
Jacob Tilton
Lewis Haines
Samuel Hunt
Stephen Gale
Dan 1 Sanborn
Philip Hunt Jun r
Tho* Critchet
Jon" H. Sanborn
James Cate
Dan 1 Sanborn J r
James Sanborn
178
Mathevv Thomson
John Sanborn 3 d
Nath 1 Tilton
Jacob garland
Nath 1 Chandler
Josiah Miles
Elijah True
Joseph Burley
Nathiel Burley
william Burley
Nethenel Burley
inur
Benjamin Robinson
Moses Tom son
James Asgood
Jacob Tom son
Jonathan Cate
Simeon Cate
Jotham Savvyer
Jonathan Sanborn
John Thorn
John Clark
Joseph Clark
Jeremiah Samborn
John Samborn Jur
James Shepard
[8-.o 9 ]
[Petition for a Ferry, Ij8^.~\
To the Honorable the Saneat and Representativs of the State
of New Hampshire Now Seting at Concord
we the Subscribers inhabitants of the Parrish of Northfleld
have for maney years Labourd under maney inconveniences
for want of Sum Parson to keep a ferry across merrimack River
Between this Place and Salisbury and Now understanding that
Robart wise has Pettion d your Honors for a grant of a ferry a
cross Said River Pray that he may have it whire Pettioned for
and your Pettioners as in Duty Bound Shall Ever Pray
Northfield October 23-1785
Samuel T Gilman Jonathan Darborn
James Blanchard William Dyer
William ad Perkines Nathaniel Cross
Robort Curry
David Blanchard
Nathaniel witcher
John Parkins
Danford
Benaiah Sanborn
Reuben Witcher
Robart Parkines
Jonathan Oilman
William witcher
— ■ Danford
James Cross
John Cross
Jacob Heath
Jonathan Wadlegh
Abraham Dearborn
William Williams
Benjamin G litis
James Simons
Wm G lines
Willim kinston
William forest
James muchemore
thomas Gilman
Aaron Stephens Jur
Jonathan Sanborn
James forest
willam keniston
Jonathan thomson
willam gibson
william thomson
Daniel darling
Elisha Cate
John Morrison
Jeremiah tilton
Ebenezer Darling
74
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Frases Sanborn
Nathaniel Perkines
Joseph Hancock
Sanborn Sanborn
Nathaniel Darborn
John Cross Jur
Ezekiel Clough
fifield Liford
Beniaman Blancherd
Jeremiah m c daniel
Jonathan Kineston
Nathaniel Brown
John kineston
Jonathan Leavit
Richard Blanchard
Aaron Stevens
Franes Durgin
Edward Chase
John Perkins
Simeon Robinson
Stephen Haines
Robert Foss
Moses Foss
Reuben miles
Jacob bianc d
Thomas Lyford
£8-1 n] [Petition of the Inhabitants for a Magistrate : ad-
dressed to the Preside?zt a?id Council.]
Northfield Sep r 8 th 1786
whereas Thomas Gilmon Esq r is about moving from this
Parish & we Shall be Destitute of a Majetrate we Pray that
Archelus Miles of this Perish May be Put in as a Justice ofy e
Peace for sd Northfield and we as in Duty bound Shall ever
Pray •
Wiliam Glines Andrew french
Wiliam Rines his X Jonathan gile
Thomas Cross
Jesse Cross
nathan Cross
John Cross
James Shepard
Nathan Colby
Joseph hancock
Georg hancock
John forest
David kinston
Aron Stephens
John Dearbon
"Jonathan Dearbon
mark
Gideon Sawyer
Henery Danford
James Blanchard
Jonathan Wodligh
Jonathan Leavitt
George Jones
Elisha French
John Simons
William Glines
Wiliam Wiliams
Nathanaeal Dearbon Wiliam forest
Richard Blanchard
David Dolor
William Dyer
Aaron Stephens
junr
Richerd Gliens
moses Danford
Daniel kandale
Thomas foos
Thomas SherBon
John welch
£8—112] [Petition of the Inhabitants for a Magistrate : ad-
dressed to the Gover?ior a?id Council, i/S/. ]
Humbly shews — the Petition of the Subscribers Inhabitants
of the Town of Northfield in said State, that the said Town is
destitute of Justice of the Peace, and that it is a considerable
distance to the nearest Justice in any Neighbouring Town :
They therefore, Pray Your Excellency & Hon™ that some suit-
able person may be appointed to that Office, and they beg
leave, with submission to recommed Archelaus Miles as a per-
NORTHFIELD.
75
son Agreeable to their wish
pray
samuel th - gilmon
Abraham dwyer
James Simons
william ad Perkines
Joseph Hancocke
Gideon Leavitt
Aaron Stephens
Aaron Stephens
Junr
Jonathan gile
James Shepard
Joseph ash
Daniel Randel
John welch
thomas foss Juner
Job forest
James Gilson
Jonathan Leavitt
Joseph Leavitt
thomas Clough
Junr
-And as in duty bound will ever
Richerd Ellison
David Dollof
Richd Smith
hanerv Danford
John Roen
william hancock
Ezekial Davis
Nathan Colby
George hancock
Shubel Dearborn
Juner
Nathanieal Dearbon
John Dearbon
Ezekiel Heath
Nathaniel Perkins
James L Perkins
William Glines
George Jones
John Simons
Jonathan wadleigh
John Cochran
Gideon Sawyer
Jotham sawyer
moses Danforth
Edmund Shepard
James fores
Samuel Davis
thomas foss
Benjemin Collins
William Williams
William Glines
William Rines
william glines Juner
Benjamin Welch
Nathaniel Brown
Morrill Shepard
Bill Clement
Elisha French
andrew frenche
Jonathan Keneston
[8-1 13] [Petition of Inhabitants for a Magistrate: ad-
dressed to the Governor and Council. ,]
We the Subscribers, Inhabitants of the Parish of Northfield,
County of Rockingham, and State afores d do humbly Petition,
and pray that Lieu 4 Charles Gliddin of s d Parish, shou'd be
Appointed as a Justice of the Peace for s d Parish; being fully
convinced, he is a Suitable man for that office, and as in duty
bound shall ever pray &c
Northfield April 26 th 1SS7-
Elisher french
Richer Blanchard
Jacob Blanchard"
John Perkins
Will" 1 H : Bowles
Geo : Jones
Edward S Dyer
hanary danford
Benjamin Welch
Jonathan Wodleigh
eben Blanchard
Reuben Blanchard
Nathaniel witcher
John Cross
Iseck boen
Jemes gibson
John Wellch
James Sherburn
Willam Rines
willam glinds
Jonathan Leavitt
Juner
Richard glines
Daniel Randel
William forest
James L Perkins
Rich d Smith
Richrd Ellison
Nathaniel Perkines
Benjamin Glines
7 6
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
William Turrell
Joseph Man
James forest
William witcher
William Samborn
Joseph Leavitt Junr
Edmund Spezar
Levi Morrill
Reuben Whitcher
Robert Curry
Edward Blanchard
Benjaman blanchard
william glinds Jur
Nathanieal Dearbon
Shubel dearbon
Jonathan DearBon
Abraham Dearbon
Jonathan gile
Isaac Tracy
Jonath n Welsh
Wadleigh Leavitt
Jonathan Sanborn
Joseph Ellison
Shubel Dearbon
Juner
John Dearborn
Jonathon Kinestone
thorn as foss
Jonathan Witcher
Thomas Clough
Saul french
William Adams Per-
kins
John forrest
NORTH HAMPTON.
The township was formerly a part of Hampton, from which
it was separated for parochial purposes, November 17, 1738,
and went by the name of North Hill Parish until November
26, 1742, when it was incorporated with full town privileges
by its present name, the derivation of which is obvious.
Documents relative to the parish may be found in Vol. XII,
pp. 1 17-122.
A dispute concerning the line between this town and Rye
was settled by the adoption of a report of James Hill of
New Market, Jeremiah Batchelder of Kensington, and
Joshua Weeks of Greenland, a committee appointed by the
legislature to run the same. Their report, dated January
17, 1793, may be found in manuscript charter records, Vol.
4, page 257, in office of secretary of state. Said report was
to be final and conclusive.
Little Boar's Head, situated in this town on the Atlantic
coast, is a pleasant summer resort, and is visited by those
who desire to enjoy the cool and invigorating sea air quietly
in preference to the more populous places.
[8-1 16] [Petition of Inhabitants for a Divisional Line : ad-
dressed to the Ge?ieral Assembly, IJ42.~\
The Petition of Sundry Persons who live in the Northerly
part of Hampton in Said Province whose names are hereunto
annexed most humbly sheweth, That sometime since the Gen-
eral Court of this Province by an act made and erected a Parish
NORTH HAMPTON.
77
in the northerly part of Hampton afores d by Polling off sundry
Persons and their Estates but not by any metes & bounds
That there are sundry others who live convenient to attend the
publick worship of God at the meeting house in said Parish,
who are desirous so to do, That the old Parish of Hampton is
an able and large parish and can without being burdened Spare
sundry persons and their estates to another Parish — wherefore
your Petitioners pray your Excellency and Honours to take this
Petition under Consideration and in your great wisdom and
Goodness to ratify establish and Confirm the said Parish in the
Northerly part of said Hampton by a divisional line between
the old Parish of Hampton afores d and the said Northerly Par-
ish whereabouts your Excellency and Honours shall see meet
and proper or to Cause that the Ministers of the said Two Par-
ishes be paid By one Rate or otherways as may be Judged Just
and equall and your Petitioners as in Duty bound shall ever
pray &c
June the 7 th 1742
we the Subscribers of the north part of Hampton desire to
put in to this Honarable General Cort to see If they will grant
us a Line between the parishs in Hampton or order to maintain
the two ministers together or any other way by there Consid-
eration
John Derborn
Samuel derbon
Thomas marston
John Wedgwood
Job chapman
Daniel samborn
Jonathan marston
Simon Dearborn
John leavitt
daniel marston
Benjamin marston
wintrop marston
Joshua Winget
Timothy Dalton
hit m
henrey X Darbon
Benjamin Marston
Sen
John Marston
Joshua brown
Jonathan thomas
David Jewell
Jerimiah darbon
Stephen Batchelder
Abner Fogg
Sam el bachelder
hanrey bachelder
James Godfree
Jacob liford
William godfree
Bngman Hobs
John godfree
Stven bchalder Junr
Ebnezer Samborn
John phelbreck
John godfree
[Action of the Legislature on the foregoing. ~\
In the House of Representatives 9/ 24th 1 742
The within Petition & others relating thereto Read & the
Parties heard and the House having considered thereof, voted:
That there be a line Setled, viz* to begiug at a Great Rock in
the High way that Leads from Portsmouth to Hampton over
North Hill between y e dwelling Houses of Caleb Marston &
Joseph Tole Jun r and is the first Great Rock in y e High way
Provr N Hamp r Nov : 25 th 1742
In Council read & Concurrd
Eodem Die Assented to
James JefTry Cle r ass m
Theod r Atkinson Sec ry
B Wentworth
[8— 1 1 7 J [Petition of Inhabitants relative to Church Affairs:
addressed to the General Assembly September 74, 7742.']
The Humble Pitition of us the Subscribers Most Humbly
Sheweth that the houses and habitations of your Pititioners are
in the northly Part of the town of Hampton and where as Sev-
eral of our Neighbours were Some years ago Poled of from the
town to the Support of a gospell minister at North hill and now
Several others Joining with them they are Pititioning for a line
which If granted will Probably take the houses and habitations
of your Pititioners in with them and so Contrery to our Inclina-
tions we shall be forced of from the Minestrey the Church and
Congrigation in the old town and (with out the aid of your Ex-
cellency and Honours) Shall be Compelled to Pay to the Sup-
port of the minestrey at north hill If your Excellency and Hon-
ours Should in your Grate wisdom See meet to Grant them
their Pitition and give them a line we Humbly and Earnestly
Pray your Excellency and Honours that your Pititioners and
78 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
to the Southward of the Widow Levits dwelling House & from
Said Rock to run on a Strait Line to the Sea at the mouth of
the Little River where it now Empties itSelf into the Sea.
And then to begin at the Great Rock aforesaid & then to run
on a Straight Line to the Corner Bounds Between Stretham &
Exeter at Hampton Line And That the Estates in the old par-
ish y' belongs to the Poles in the new parish Shall pay Rates to
the north parish & the Estates belonging to y e Poles in the old
parish that lies in the north parish Shall pay Rates to y e old !
parish and whereon the owner of the land Lives there he & his
Estate Shall pay Rates, Notwithstanding y e Line Setled. & if
any Strangers purchase land in Either parish, he Shall pay j
where the Land Lies : & Its always intended that Every person
in Each parish pay his Proportion of the Grant to M rs Dorothy
Gookin as usual :
and that the Rates for the present yeare be paid as they are
already made & that the Petitioners have liberty to Bring in a
Bill accordingly
And y* y e Select men of Each parish Joyn in y e makeing y e
Province Taxes, as also y l both parishes Joyn in Choice of
Representative until further order-
NORTH HAMPTON.
79
their Estates may be Exampted from Paying to the Support of
the Minestrey at north hill and that we may still remain under
and be taxed to the Support of the Minestrey and the other
Publick Chargs of the town as we used to be and your Pitition-
ers as in Dutey bound Shall Ever Pray
John Smith
william Moulton
Simon knowles
Richard tayler
Abraham Drake
moris hobbes
Josiah hobbes
John Shaw
Bengman Smith
William palmer
John Smith Jun
John tayler
Joseph knowles
Daniel fogg
Samuel Fogg
Thomas Robie
Zachariah towl
Ruben darben
Thomes darben
Samuel darben
Bennony fullor
nathanil moreton
Samuel Bachildor
Jun
franis Page
William Moulton
Benj : Lam pre
Jona tn Knowles
Benj n Johnson
Jonathan Palmer
Joseph Page
Joseph Moulton
Benj Johnson
James Thomas
[8— 118] [Petition of yonathan Palmer and Daniel Fogg :
addressed to the General Assembly, J744-~]
The Petetion of us His Majestys Subjects Inhabetants of the
North Parish in Hampton within Said Province
Humbly Shueath
That we Labure under Grate Difelicte our houses Stand-
ing jest upon the Line & our Land being Devided y e one part
in Rye & the other in the North Parish in hampton there being
no way Nearer then about four miles to Get to the meeting
house in y e north Parish & Living with in about two miles of
Rye meeting house the Place where we Generly Go to Devine
worshep & most Convenent for Sending our Children to Scoi
May it Please your Exc 1 and The Honourable Council &
house of Representatives your Petitioners Humbly Pray that
we and our Estats where we Live may be Set of to Rye and
your Petitoners Shall Ever Pray as in Duty bound
Jonathan Palmer
Daniel Fogg
[In H. of Rep., Aug. 23, 1744, u Voted that the petition
be Dismist for so long time as the opposers to the peti-
tion shall keep an open and passable way in such place as
has been directed by Col. Wingate, to North Hill meeting
House, to and from the Petitioners Dwelling Houses." — Ed.]
80 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[8-1 19] \_Petition of Inhabitants for a Grant of JLa?id : ad-
dressed to the Governor and Council, iyjo.~\
the Humble Petition of us the subscribers Most Humbly
Sheweth — that where as a Considerable number of the Inhabi-
tants of the town of Hampton Did signe their names in a Piti-
tion to his Excellency and the Councel about eight years since
Praying that they might have land Granted to them for one or 1
two townships on some Part of Pemigawasset River 1
which Pitition is not as yet Granted and where as a Grate I
Part of said Pititioners never had any land Granted to them by
the. Government — the town of Hampton in General have had
but a Very small Matter of lands Granted to them by the gov-
erment to what other towns have had — we Humbly Pray that I
the said Pitition may be Granted according to the Prayer of it j
and If the land Cannot be had where it was asked for — we Pray |
that it May be granted as near to us as Possable near the south- I
ern boundrey of the Province — as your Excellency and Honours
In your Grate wisdom shall See meet and your Pititioners as in
Duty bound shall Ever Pray
Dated at Hampton Januery y e 22 nd 1749/50
Samuel Palmer Junr
Jeremiah Moulton
Josiah Moulton sener \
Ephraim Marston
William Moulton
Benjamin Dow
Jonathan Tuck
Gershom Griffith
[8-120] \_Petition for Land Grant: addressed to the Gov-
ernor and Council, ij4g.~\
The Petition of Daniel Marston & John Leavit of North
Hampton in said Province Humbly Sheweth That your Peti-
tioners together with their Associates to such Number as your
Excellency & Hon" shall please to appoint are desirous & will-
ing to cultivate & improve & render profitable to our Selves &
Posterity some of the wast Lands of His Said majesties Said
Province as well as to increase the Number of the Setlers &
Subjects of Said Province &c —
We therefore Humbly pray your Excellency & Honours
would be pleased to grant to us & our Associates as aforesaid a
Township (of such Dimensions & under such Restrictions &
NORTH HAMPTON.
8l
Limitations together with Such Priviledges & Advantages as
you grant to other of his majestie's good Subjects of S d Prov-
ince) — Bounding & lying upon Connecticut River & the Boun-
dary Line between New-Hampshire aforesaid & the Province
of the Massachusetts-Bay or as near that spot as your Excel-
lency & Honours in your great Wisdom shall think it may con-
veniently be done
And your Petitioners as in Duty bound shall ever pray
22 d Jan r 1749, T)an l Marston
John Leavit
\_List of Associates. ~\
Simon Nudd
Simon Marston Junr
Abner Fogg Junr
Bengman Leavitt
Jonathan Moulton
Joshwe Wengate
Jun r
D. Peirce
Nath 1 Sargent Esq.
Saml Marston Jun r
Thos. Leavit
Dan 1 Marston
John Leavit
Thomas Bell Esq.
Joseph Towl
Nath 1 Mason
Benj a Thomas
Daniel Samborn
Sam 1 Marston
Zachariah towl
Jonathan Wedge-
wood
Abner Fogg
Edward Shaw
Eben : Samborn
Timothy Dalton
Joseph knowles
hanrey Batchelder
Abraham Drake
Jonathan Marston
Benjamin Marston
Benjamin Johnson
Benjamin Hobbs
Samewell Shaw
John Johnson
John godfree
Abraham Tilton
W'introp marston
Willam moulton
John marston
Joshua Brown
thomas marston
Joshua Brown Jur
David marston
Stven Brown
[8-122] [Petition relative to election of Representative : ad~
dressed to the House of Representatives ', i/j8.~]
We Your most Humble Petitioners the Select Men of the
Parish of North Hampton for the present Year not having been
notified to joyn with The Town of Hampton in the late Choice
of Representitives which priviledge was Granted to this Parish
by his Excellency the Governor and Honorab le the Counsel and
house of Representitives Therefore humbly conceive the said
Meeting was illegal and that those Members then chosen in the
Town of Hampton have no right to set as Members and pray
they may not be Accepted And that there may be a new Choice
And Your Petitioners as in Duty bound shall ever pray
Novemb r 2S th 1758 Reuben Dearborn ) Select Men
John Leavitt > for North
Levi Dearborn ) Hampton
[Petition dismissed. — Ed.]
8
82 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[8-123] [Petition relative to Election of Represeiitative
addressed to the General Asseinbly, I7j8.~\
We Your Humb le Petitioners being Granted off into a Sepa-
rate. Parish (by the Name of North Hampton) from the Town
pjf Hampton with all Parish Priviledges excepting in Chusing
of Representitives in which Choice we are to Joyn with the j
Town but in as much as there are Sundery differences between
the Town of Hampton and North Hampton we are debar d from S
the priviledge ofjoyning with the Town of Hampton in their j
Choice they being superiour to North Hampton in number of
Voters and no order of Court (as in Rye & New Castle)
"wheither they shall be one or both in one place neither have
we the Parish of North Hampton any Notification or Precept
when or where to joyn with them the Town of Hampton in the
Choice of Representitives and forasmuch as we the parish of
North Hampton Pay a large Province Rate of Six or Seven
Hundred Pounds new Tenor per Annum and have no one to
Represent us in the General Assembly Therefore humbly pray
we may have a Precept for Chusing one Representative sepa-
rate from the Town of Hampton to Represent us in the General
Assembly — And Your most Humb lc Petitioners as in Duty
bound shall ever pray —
North Hampton Novemb r 28 th 1758
Eben r Samborn ) Agents for said
Levi Dearborn J North Hampton
[8—124] \_Petitio?i of Levi Dearborn, ^Joseph Hobbs, and
Ebenezer Neal: addressed to the General Assembly. 1
The Petition of us the Subscribers as a Committee of the J
Parish of North Hampton in behalf of the Inhabitants thereof
humbly sheweth, That in the year 1742 the said Parish was by
an Act of the General Assembly of the then Province set off
from the Town of Hampton at the Northerly part thereof, by
the Name of North Hampton bounded as by the said Act will
appear — And vested with all the Privileges & Immunities of
other Parishes — With this exception, that all such estates as
lay in the old Parish, which belonged unto and were owned by
persons living in the North Parish should be rated to the North
Parish, and such Estates as lay in the North Parish which be-
longed unto and owned by persons living in the old Parish,
should be rated to the old Parish, and that on which side soever
of said line any person should live in Hampton, there he, and his
estate on both sides of said Line should be rated, but if any Stran-
ger shold purchase land in either of said parishes such stranger
NORTH HAMPTON. 83
should be rated for such land where it lay said Committee far-
ther show that since the said Parish of North Hampton has
been established as aforesaid many Inhabitants of Hampton
have purchased considerable quantities of Land lying in said
North Hampton the former Owners of which land paid Taxes
for the same to said Parish of North Hampton, but the present
Owners thereof being Inhabitants of Said Hampton refuse to
pay taxes therefor to the said Parish of North Hampton con-
ceving themselves exempted therefrom by said Act which con-
ception Your Petitioners apprehend is foreign to the Spirit
of said Act, And as the paying taxes for such lands out of the
Parish where they lie is very inconvenient and tend to create
Disputes and may in time by frequent transfers thereof to per-
sons living in Hampton aforesaid according to their conception
of said Act totally deprive the Inhabitants of said North Hamp-
ton of the means of paying their parochial taxes. Wherefore
Your Petitioners humbly pray that all the ratiable Estate lying
and being within North Hampton aforesaid may be subject to
the payment of Taxes there And Your Petitioners as in Duty
bound will ever pray &c —
North Hampton March 16 th 1779
Levi Dearborn^) ^ ... c
t u it i u i Committee for
Joseph Hobbs > XT ., n
Eben«Neal j North Hampton
[8—125] [Petition relative to Election of Representative :
addressed to the General Court, iy8j.']
■
The Petition of a Majority of the Legal Voters in the Town
of North Hampton in the County of Rockingham and State
aforesaid Humbly Shows That the said Town is encorporated
with all the Powers Priviledges and Franchises that other
Towns in this state hold and enjoy That ever since the pres-
ent Government they have been priviledged with a representa-
tive to the General Court — That the New Constitution or form
of Government for this State provides that every Town Parish
or place intitled to town Priviledges haveing one Hundred and
fifty rateable Polls of twenty one years and upward may Elect
one Representative and that such Towns Parishes or Places as
have less then one Hundred and fifty Rateable Polls shall be
Classed by the General Assembly for the Purpose of Chuseing
a representative and that when any Town Parish or Place in-
titled to Town Priviledges as aforesaid and having less than
one Hundred and fifty rateable Polls and be so situated as to
render the Classing very inconvenient the General Assembly
8 4
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
may upon Application of a Majority of the Voters in such Town
Parish or Place issue a Writ for their Electing and Sending a
Representative to the General Court. That Your Petitioners
humbly conceive that they fall within the Last Discription not
being one Hundred and fifty rateable Polls and being so situated
as not to admit of being Classed without Great inconvenience
That Your Petitioners are Clearely of Opinion that the Present
Legislature have every Power and Authority necessary for in-
troducing the new Constitution or form of Government.
Wherefore they Pray that in the new Arrangement for the
next Essembly a Precept may issue to the Town of North
Hampton for Electing and Sending a Representative under
such regulations as other Towns and Destrects in this State
And Your Petitioners as in Duty bound shall ever Pray —
North Hampton December 1783 —
Ebenr Samborn
Levi Dearborn
Benjamin Leavitt
James wedgwood
Thomas Samborn
Benjamin Page
thomas Leavitt
John Robey
John Robey Junr
Sam 1 Jenness
Phinehas Dearborn
Levi marston
thomas haines
David Page Juner
David marston
Zachriah Towl
Thomas Marston
Benjamin Brown
William Samborn
John Porter
Dearborn Fogg
Joseph molton
Josiah Hobbs
Joseph Hobbs
Dudley Page
Samuel Smith
Jamiah Fogg
Simon Ward
Joseph Molton
John wedgwood
Josiah wedgwood
Stephen page
Jonathan Page
Simon Page
Josiah Neal
Walter Neal
Abraham Drack
Jonathan Drack
Nathaniel Drack
Simon Levitt
Samuel Robey
John Dearborn
John Dearborn Junr
Samuel Dearborn
Jermiah Dearborn
John Tayler
Abraham Tayler
Morris Hobbs
thomas Hobbs
Nathaniel Batchelder
Levi Dearborn Tu r
Samuel X Davis
mark
Ebnezer Lovrin
Ebnezer Lovrin Jur
Simon Lovrin
thomas Lovrin
John Winket
John Lovering
Reuben gove Dear-
born Ju
thomas marston
Beniamin marston
Joseph Palmer
Benjamin Mason
Ebnezer Neal
Abner fogsr
Abner fogg Jun r
Simon Lamper
Ruben Dearbon Jr
Samuel Molton
Isaac Jenness Ju r
Isaac Jenness
Samuel Robey
Simon Brown
Samuel Chapman
James Godfree
William Koves
John Nudd
Joseph Taylor
W T illiam Godfree
Jon a Wedgwood
[In H. of Rep., Dec. 31, 1783, the petition was granted,
Senate concurred. — Ed.]
NORTH HAMPTON. 8$
[R. 3-64] \_Petition of Stephen Brown, Soldier, iyS9-"\
[In a petition to the general assembly, dated May 16. 1759,
said Brown stated " That your Petitioner was an Inlisted
soldier in the Government service In the Last Campaign, in
Capt Thos. Tashes Comp a that your Petitioner bought a
Gun of Capt Abner Fogg to carry with him in s d ser-
vice." He further stated that the gun burst the first time
he fired it, and he thereby lost two of his fingers. He
asked to have doctor's bill paid, which was granted to the
extent of £6, 8 sterling. — Ed.]
[R. 3-65] [Petition of Jonathan Wedgwood, 1761.'] ■
To the Honourable the House of Representatives now setting
at Portsmoth —
The Petition of Jonathan Wedgwood of North Hampton
humbly sheweth — That Sam 1 Wedgwood the son of your Peti-
tioner did enlist in the year 1760 into the service for the total
reduction of Canada and went accordingly in the Company of
Capt George March and on his return was taken sick at Crown
Point and convey d by Albany home which created some ex-
traordinary charges which your petitioner prays may be allow d
him by the Honourable House of Representatives and your
Petitioner as in duty bound shall ever pray
North Hampton Febr y 4th 1761
Jon a Wedgwood
[He was allowed 32 shillings sterling. — Ed.]
[R. 3-67] \_Petition of Samuel Davis, Soldier : addressed to
the General Assembly, iy6j.~\
The Petition of Samuel Davis of North Hampton Humbly
Sheweth that your Petitioner being out in the service of this
Province in the year 175S, in the Company of Capt Jonathan
Swett, and being wounded at No. Four * * *
his
Sam 1 X Davis
mark
[The wound was in his leg. He was attended by Dr.
Levi Dearborn ; he asked to have the doctor's bill paid. —
[Ed.]
86 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[R. 3-68] [Soldier's Order, 1778.']
Dated at North hampton febrey 6 th 1778
To Nickles Gilman Treas Sir please Cap' Moses Leavitt all
my Rations Deue to me the Last Campaign your Compliance
will greatly oblige your Humbell Sev'
Radmund Moult[on] Ens
[R.3-69]
[In a petition dated Feb. 12, 1778, Abraham Marston
stated that he was a "Soldier in Col. Abraham Drake's
Regiment the last fall in the Service of this State." He
was taken sick of fever in New York state, and asked to
have the expense of his sickness paid. Allowed ^21, 6, 2.
—Ed.]
[R. 3-70] [James Wedgwood, Soldier. ~\
[In a petition dated Jan. 9, 1781, James Wedgwood stated
that he was "a Lieut in the third New Hampshire Battal-
ion," and was ''engaged in the Service of the United States
in Nov r 1776, and continued in Said Service until the 13th
of Sept r 1778." He asked to have the depreciation of his
pay made up. He petitioned again (R. 3-71) in 1784, and
then succeeded. — Ed.]
[R. 3~7 2 ] [Account for Supplies to Airs. Green.']
Due to the Parish of North Hampton for supplying Rich-
erds Greens wife for the year 17S2 Five pounds Four shillings
& Four pence Lawful Silver Money £5 14 14.
North Hampton Febuary 24 th 1783.
Pr Morris Hobbs
In behalf of the Selectmen
[Sworn before Levi Dearborn.]
[ R - 3-73] [Soldier's Order.]
North Hampton May 30 th 1785
To John taler Gillman Esq Sur be plesed to pay unto Coll
NORTH HAMPTON. 87
Moses Leavitt all the wages Due to my Son Jorge Long Due
to him for Serves in the Armey
Yourn to serve [torn] en Long
[R. 3—74] [Petition of Daniel Gookifi, Soldier, addressed
to the Getter al Court, 1785.']
Humbly shews Daniel Gookin of North Hampton, in said
State — That your petitioner early in the year 1777 went into
the army of the United States as a Serjeant and continued there
in that capacity till the 19 th march AD 1779 at which time he
received a Brevit from this State to rank as Ensign — that he
was afterwards on the 16 th Day of June A D 1779 commis-
sioned by Congress to take Rank as Ensign from the 6 th Day
of May 1777 — that this State has made up to him the Depre-
ciation of his Wages in the Capacity of Serjeant for said Term
of time, Wherefore he prays that your honors would be pleased
to grant him the Depreciation on the difference of the Wages
of Serjeant and Ensign and empower him to receive the same
& your petitioner as in Duty bound will ever pray &c
Dan 11 Gookin
[Petition granted Feb. 17, 1786. — Ed.]
[R. 3-75] [Relative to the Town's Quota of Soldiers.~\
State of New Hampshire —
To the Hon bl General Court for the State of New Hampshire
Now Sitting at Portsmouth in said state
Humbly Sheweth Moses Leavitt of North-Hampton in Said
State in behalf of Said Town of North-Hampton that an
extent was Issued against said Town for a Large Sum of
Money for the Dificiency of Soldiers which is yet unsatisfyed
and that by Som Neglect by the failer of said Town Returning
Sum of said Soldiers they have Not been credited for four Men
that they had in the field which Sarved faithfully during the
war Viz Samuel Trickey John Weeks Samuel York & Joseph
Avery wherefore your Petitioner Prays that this Honourable
Court would take the Same into there wise Consideration and
order that the said four Men may be Credited to said Town
and deducted from said Extent and your Petitioner as in Duty
Bound Shall Pray &c
Portsmouth March I st 1786.
Moses Leavitt
[The foregoing petition was " granted in full." — Ed.]
88 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
NORTHUMBERLAND.
The township was first granted, Oct. 20, 1761, by the
name of Stonington, to John Hogg and others. Settlements
were made in June, 1767, by Thomas Burnside, with his
wife and three children, and Daniel Spalding, with his wife J
and son Edward. It is said that Mrs. Spalding was a de- |
scendant of the celebrated Hannah Duston. 1
It was re-granted Jan. 25, 1771, to Daniel Warner and J
others, by its present name, and incorporated by the legis- j
lature Nov. 16, 1779, with full town privileges. John Brown 1
was authorized to call the first meeting. S
By an act approved Dec. 27, 1799, Jeremiah Eames, |
Joseph Peverley, and John Moore were appointed a commit-
tee to assess a tax of three cents per acre on the lands in
the town, for the purpose of building a bridge over Ammo- |
noosuc river. 1
Jeremiah Eames was a surveyor of land, and was employed ]
to survey and make plans of several towns in the vicinity, to
comply with the act of December, 1803, which required plans j
of all towns, grants, etc., to be filed in the office of the sec-
retary of state.
[8—126] \_Petition of Inhabita72ts relative to a Road from
Conway: addressed to the General Court, iy8o.~\
Humbly Sheweth —
that wheras their is a Road cut and Partly Cleared and
Bridged Leading from uper Coos to Conway So to Wolf brough
and Portsmouth which is through Considerable unapropriated
Lands unlikely Soon to be Seteled at or near the white hills
where if Some Expence was Properly Laid out would Shorten
the travel from Connecticut River to the Seaports and Prevent
the People at uper Coos being under Necessety of taking the
tedious Rout of Lower Coos of at Least forty or fifty miles
farther And wheras it is now a time of war and the People at
uper Coos being the frontier of this State or the Continant in
this Northern Quarter Exposed to alarms and attacks by the
Enemy from Canada and having no Resorce for help or way of
Retreat but by the way of Lower Coos (which think themselves
Equaly Exposed) wherefore your Petitioners beg the Interpo-
sition of the Hon 1 ' 1 Court that they would order the above Said
Road way imeadiatly be made Passable with horses or Car-
raiges through Said unapropriated Lands at the Cost of the
NORTHUMBERLAND. 89
State and through the apropriated Lands at the Cost of owner
that So Releif may Soner be had from the Interior to the Exte-
rior Part of the State which will be of great importance to your
Petitioners and of advantage to this State and the Publick in
general and Your Petitioners as in Duty bound will Ever Pray
Northumberland May 25 th 17S0
thomas Burnside Nathan Barlow John Sawyer
John Holbrook Archippus Bloggatt Dill Sawyer
John Gamsby Joseph Barlow George Wheeler
James Blake James Brown Sam 11 Nash
Joshua Lamkin Benj a Byron David Hopkinson
James Curtiss Ward Bailey David Page
David Larned Abner Osgood moses page
Elijah Blogget Benj a Sawyer Jonas Wilder
Luther Richardson Tim° Nash
[See following document. — Ed.]
[8-127] [Report of Committee relative to building' a Road,
l 7 8o.-]
State of New Hamp s In the House of Representatives June
14 th 17S0.
The Committee on the Petition from Northumberland Re-
ported their Opinion that they Recommend the passing an Act
appointing & authorizing some person or persons to sell at pub-
lic Vendue One Thousand Acres of the Confiscated Land of
William Stark adjoining to Conway & lay out the money aris-
ing by said Sale in making a good & passable Road through
the Unappropriated Lands Mentioned by the Petitioners .&
make Return of such doing to the General Court as soon as
may be which is Submitted in behalfe of the Committee, by E.
Thompson, — Which Report being Read & Considered, Voted
that it be Received and Accepted —
Sent up for Concurrence
John Langdon Speaker
In Council June 15 th 17S0, read & concurred
E. Thompson Secy.
[8-128] [Return of Ratable Polls, 1783, .]
State of N Hamp 9 Grafton s 9 —
An Exact Account, of the number of Male Poles from twen-
90 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
ty-one years of Age & upwards, in the Town of Northumber-
land, paying A Pole Tax, s d number being Seventeen
Jo- Peverly ) gelect
Jer d tames )
Northumberland 2 d Dec r 1783
[Sworn to before Edw ds Bucknam, Justice of the Peace.]
[8—129] \_Petition of the Selectme?i of Northumberland a?id
Guildhall, Vt., for Authority to raise Money by Lottery: j
addressed to the Senate and House of Representatives.^ \
Humbly Sheweth — I
That Whereas Connecticut River Divides the Towns of
Northumberland and Guildhall and there being a very conven- !
ient Advantagious place for the purpose of erecting a Bridge \
over what is called the little Falls on said River w T hich would j
be very advantagious to the Public in general as well as to the
Inhabitance of s d Towns as that is near the Centre of the In- I
habitance of the Upper Coos — We therefore for our Selves and
in behalf of All who are travilers in and thro' this Country j
Humbly Beseech your Honours to grant us Liberty to raise by I
Lottery the Sum of One thousand Dollars which we concieve
to be sufficient together with what Subscriptions we can pro-
cure to erect a good and perminent Bridge over s d Place and
we your petitioners as in Duty bound will ever pray —
Dated at Northumberland this 25 th Day of May 1791 —
Benoni Cutter "")
Eben W. Judd I Select
Joseph Peverly | Men
Antipas marshall J
[8-130] [Petition for a Ferry, 1785."]
State Newhamp r
To the Honourble the Seneate & House of Representatives
humbly Sheweth
That Ever Since the first Setelment of this Town and Others
adjacent in Upper Coos the Inhabitants and Travelers have
been Great Suferers for want of a boat, Suitable to Carry Peo-
ple horses & Teams over Connecticute River and a branch
thereof Called amminooSuck River which Runs in to Connec-
ticute River in Northumberland and wheras Thomas Burnside
NORTHUMBERLAND. 91
Esq r hath Proposed building a Suitable boat or boats if he
Might have a Charter of a ferry in Such manner that the ferry
to Cross Connecticut River might take in AmminnuSuck which
your Petetioners Supose might be without Inconveniance with
the Same boat Therefore Pray the Sole Priveledge of Keeping
a boat or boats in Northumberland for the above Purposes may
be Granted to the s d Burnside he being Subject to Such Regu-
lations & Restrictions as your Hon rs in your wisdom Shall See
meet and your Petetioners will Ever Pray
Northumberland May 14 th 17S5
Thomas Peverly Archippas Blogget Hith Balden
Thomas Peverly j r Josiah Blogget Barnard Cole
Jer h Eames James Brown James Blake
Daniel Spaldin Newcomb Blogget Joshua Lamkin
David Learned John Holbrook Oliver Lamkin
James Learned James Curtiss thomas Lamkin
Abel Learned William Curtiss James Burnside
Elijah Blogget Stephen Curtiss Phinehas Hodgdon
James Luther John Smith Nathan Caswell
[The privilege of keeping a ferry was granted to said
Thomas Burnside in 1786. — Ed.]
[8-13 1] [Petition for a new County, I79i.~]
To the Honourable the General Court of the State of New
Hampshire —
The Potision of the Inhabitants of Northumberland In the
County of Grafton —
Humbly Sheweth —
That your Potisioners live at The distance of neer Sixty miles
from the neerest Shier Town In this County —
That a very considerable part of the Inhabitants of this part
of the County live above us and are under Similar disadvan-
tages with us —
That the Road to Haverhill our neerest Shier Town Are
Exceeding bad and at Some Seasons of the year Unpassable —
Therefore we your Potisioners pray that we may Be Seper-
ated from the Said County of Grafton And be made A new
County by a Line drawn from Connecticut River between the
Towns of Concord Alias Gunthwait and Littleton and on East-
ward Taking in the Towns of Conway Eaton &-C to the
Provinc line So Call' 1 — And we as in duty bound Shall Ever Pray
Northumberland Nov r 22 nd — 1791
92 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Abel Bennet yntipas Marshall Anthony Clifford
Caleb Marshall Abner Barlow Thomas Peverly
Abel Bennet J r Jacob Shuff Thomas Peverly
Isaac Meriam Daniel Rovvell
Eliphalet Day Thomas Burnside
[The county of Coos was established by an act approved
Dec. 24, 1803. — Ed.]
[8-132] [Petition for Authority to assess a Tax to build a
Bridge: addressed to the Senate and House of Repre-
sentatives, i799>~\
Humbly sheweth,
That the Bridge over Amonnoosoock river was destroyed by
an extraordinary Freshet in June last, — which Bridge being on {
the main road from Haverhill to the upper settlements on Con- j
necticut river makes it highly necessary as well for the public, j
as for the individual use of the inhabitants that another should j
be built. — 1
That the Inhabitants being few in number, and having nu-
merous other expensive bridges to maintain, besides being at j
present involved in other public expences by lately erecting a I
meeting house in said town, find themselves unable to rebuild j
said bridge without some assistance.
Your Petitioners therefore pray that a Tax of Four Cents p r
Acre on all the lands in said Northumberland public rights ex-
cepted may be granted, for the purpose of rebuilding said
Bridge, and that the overplus if any there should be, may be
laid out on the public roads in said Northumberland, in such
manner and under such restrictions as in your wisdom you shall
see fit. — And your Petitioners shall ever pray. —
Northumberland 7 th November 1799
Caleb Marshall James Burnside Antipas Marshal
Abel Bennet Jonathan Crawford Joseph Daniels
Daniel Spaulding J™YV m Bothwell Eliphalet Day
Zadock Samson John moore Thomas Bickford
Joseph Peverly Hez h Smith Benj a Marshall
Jer h Eames David Burnside Joel Owen
Thomas Peverly Isaac Meriam
Daniel Spaulding James Lewis
[Granted by an act approved Dec. 27, 1799. — Ed.]
NORTHWOOD. 93
NORTHWOOD.
The territory comprising this town was formerly a part of
Nottingham, from which it was severed by an act passed
February 6, 1773, and erected into a "distinct parish agree-
able to a vote of the said town " (Nottingham).
Settlements were made in 1763 by Increase Bachelder,
John Bachelder, and Moses Godfrey of North Hampton, and
Solomon Bickford of Durham.
The first meeting of the inhabitants to choose town offi-
cers-was called by Benjamin Johnson, and held at the house
of Valentine Kenneson, March 23, 1773.
Among the Northwood men in the Revolution were Ben-
jamin Dow in the first regiment ; Samuel Johnson, Wm.
Wallace, Eliphalet Taylor, Wm. Blake, Nathaniel Twombly,
Benjamin Johnson, Jr., Simon Batchelder, Abraham Batch-
elder, Joseph Caswell, Simon D. Wadley, Samuel Trickey,
William Glidden, and others.
[8-134] [A Petition for a Magistrate : addressed to the
Governor, y-une 9, 1774^
The humble Petition of the freeholders & Inhabitents of the
Perish of Northwood is that Your Exelency Would Grant A
Justice of the Peace, Commision to M r Benjamin Hill of this
Perish He being A Very Capable Man, Likewise that there is
Great Need of A Justice of the Peace here there Being No Man
of that Station in Any part of this Perish Your Granting the
prayers of us the Subscribers Will be Gratefully Acknowledged
as A favour and Your humble petitioners will Ever Pray
John Batchelder Stephen Hoit Henry Sanborn
William Blaake William Prescott Asahel Blake
daves batchelder Joseph Page Levi Dearborn
Benjamin Johnson Elias Philbrick Zabulon Norris
Stephen Rawlians Simon Wadleigh Joshua Furbur
Nathanael Twombly Moses Godfree Daniel Sawyer
Joseph Holden David Page Morris Lamprey
Increas Batchelder volatin Canstan Jonathan Clark
abraham Bacthelder Nicklus Clark Robert Hill
Israel Hodgdon John Harvey David knowles
William Wollais John Sherburn
[Ordered to lay. — Ed.]
94
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[8—135] [Petition for a Magistrate : addressed to the Gov-
ernor and Council.]
The Petition of the Subscribers, Inhabitants of the Town of
Northwood, in the County of Rockingham Humbly Shews,
That a Justice of Peace is much wanted in said Town, and that
your petitioners understand that Jonathan Jenness Esq 1 " late a
Majestrate in said Town, does not incline to renew in said
Office any more, and no, other being yet appointed, your peti-
tioners humbly beg liberty to nominate and recommend to your
Excellency & Hon rs notice M r Jonathan Clark and humbly pray
that he may be appointed and commissioned a Justice of Peace
for said County & your Petitioners shall pray —
Northwood 19 th October 1785. —
Jonathan Jenness
Esq r
John Harvey
William P kelley
Volintine Kneson
Dearborn Blake
John Crockett J r
Nich Dudley Hill
John Crockett
Jon a Sanborn
Joshua Hoyt
Thomas Piper 3
Nicholas Hartford
John Cate
Jacob Norris
Samuel Johnson
Nathaniel Morriel
Moses Hoyt
Tayler Clarke
John Neley
Page
Moses Johnsone
James Step James
Josiah Dirgen
Thomas Piper
Willam Glitten
Samuel Brown
James Darborn
Willam Buzell
Benjaman Johnson
John Wille
James Watson
Frances James
David Page
Peeter Blasdel
Na l garland
Ashel Blake
Sa m Bartlet
Na* Piper
Samuel S Johnson
Solomon Bickford
John Bickford Junr
Calep Clough
Moses Norris
Jon* Hill
Morriel
Joseph York
[R. 3-76] [ William Glidden, Soldier.']
[In a petition dated Northwood, October 17, 1785, Will-
iam Glidden stated that he " Early Entered into the service
of the united States of America in the late war with great
Brittan and that he Sarved as a Soldier for the State of
Newhampshire in the Regiment Commanded by General
Hazen Until! the Close of the War at which time he Re-
ceived an Honourable Discharge * * * .
Thos. Bartlet
in behalf of the Petitioner — "'
He asked that the depreciation of his pay might be made
up. — Ed.]
NORTHWOOD.
95
[R. 3-77] \_Relative to Samuel Trickey, Soldier.~\
The petition of Jonathan Clark of Northwood Esq r Humbly
Sheweth That the Town of Northwood in the year 1778 in
obedience to the orders of the general court did hire one Samuel
Trickey an inhabitant of said Town, to serve two years in the
Continental army — that when the returns of the Soldiers was
called for by the State from the several towns, the said town of
Northwood neglected to return said Soldier — that the town of
Nottingham claimed & returned him, though they paid him no
bounty & had their full quota without him — * * *
Concord 17 th June A. D. 17S6 —
Jon a Clark
in behalf of the towm of Northwood
[He asked to have the matter rectified, which was grant-
ed, Stoten Tuttle and Nath'l Goodhue, selectmen of Not-
tingham, consenting thereto. — Ed.]
[8-136] [Petition for a Magistrate: addressed to the Gov-
ernor and Council.^
The petition of us Subscribers Sheweth that Whereas Jona-
than Jenness Esq r was Reappointed of Late a Justice of the
Peace in the Parish of Northwood in Said County But Neglects
or Rather Declines to be Qualified in Said Office according to
Law and we think it Very necessary that there Should be one
appointed in Said Parish And upon Deliberate Consideration
we Recommend to Your Notice Captain Joseph Demerit as a
Sutable Man for a Justice of the Peace in Said Parish hereby
Showing our Request that he may be appointed to Said office
as soon as may be So Desireth and Prayeth Your Humble Pe-
titioners —
Northwood November Y e 10 th 1785
Increas Batchelder
Natha 11 Garland
John Johnson
Simeon Johnson
Daves Batchelder
Simon Batchelder
abraham Batchelder
Ebenezer Dirgorn
Simon god free
James godfree
Samuel Durgin
L* william wollais
Jon knight
Samuel Batchelder
Eliger Caswell
Stephen Rawliangs
Thomas Caswell
Recherd Caswell
Ebnezer Banack
John Shurborn
Daved Knoles
Sumuel Shurborn
Nickles D Hill
Simeon knowles
Shurborn Darborn
Nicholas Blake
Enoch Pilsbury
Joshua Furbur
William Prescott
Joseph york
Samuel Giles
Moses Hoyt
Henry Batchelder
Moses Godfree
John Bickford
Eliphalet Duda
96
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Jonathan Batchelder
Hanson hight
Benjamin Johnson
Junor
Daniel -Hoit
Joseph Shaw
Ebenezer Durgin
Juner
John Dirgorn
Thomas Randel
Robert Morrison
Thomas Knolton
Jonathan Calley
Nathaniel Derborn
Tho 8 Piper
Nathaniel Piper
Josiah Durgin
Moses morris
Nathaniel Philbrick
Sherbun Blake
Phillip kelley
Joseph Shute
Jonathan Blake
Jacob Swain
John Batchelder
Joseph Caswell
John Kilborn
Asahel Blake
Ebenezer knolton
Joseph Durgorn
James Stevnes James
Samuel Brown
Stephen Hoit
James Dirborn
[8-141] \_Petition for an Incorporation of the Baptist So-
ciety: addressed to the Ge?ieral Court. ,]
Sheweth that they have Regularly and Statedly Assembled
togeather for the Worship of God on the Sabbeth and other
Days Set apart by the authorty for Divine worship and accord-
ing to the Dictates of Conscience as a Church and Society have
Set under the preaching and other ordenances of the Gospel
and your petitinors further Say that they have Voluntarily as a
Society built a meating house and Have at their own Expence
ordained a minister Who has for many years past Labourd with
them as their Spiritual Guide : your petitionors therefore Pray
that an act may be passd to Incorporate them and their Succes-
sors as a Distinct Society under the Denomination of the first
Baptist Society in Northwood and that they may be Invested with
full power to transact any matter or things which may be Nec-
essary in organizing Said Society with also of Choosing wor-
dends and a Colector or of Assessing money or any other officer
they may think fit and your petitionors further pray that m r In-
crease Batchelder may be authorized to notify the first meating
of Said Society after it Shall have been Incorporated as afor-
said, and your petitionors in Duty Bound Shall Ever pray —
Northwood December 5 th in the year of our Lord one thou-
sand Seven hundred and Ninety Seven
Solomon
Elijah carswell
James Pilsbury
Increas Batchelder
Joshua Furbur
John Batchelder
James Batchelder
James Weir
Joseph Demerit
John lesle Jun
Samuel hull
thomas knowlton
Samuel Batchelder
Zaccheus Taylor
Jonathan Taylor
William knolton
Benjamin Stokes
David knolton
John Furber
Moses Furber
Noah Hill
William Wollais
Green morrill
eleaser Watson
John Watson
huchins Watson
Daniel Hoitt
NORTHWOOD. 97
Paul Demeritt Joseph Shaw Philip Hoitt
Joseph Demerit Jun r John Dergin Benj a Hoit
Moses Demeritt John Dergin Jun Thomas Furber
Eliphalet Taylor Jonathan knovvlton Joseph
John Chesle abraham Batchelder Jedidiah Weeks
Richard Hull Samuel Batchelder Roland morgon
William Hull Jun
[The petitioners were directed to notify the selectmen of
a hearing at the next session. — Ed.]
[8—137] [Remonstrance to the foregoing. ~\
To the Hon bI Senate and Hous of Representatives Conven d At
Concord on the twenty first Day of this Ins 4 November 179S
We the Subscribers Inhabitants of Northwood Did here to
fore with a Number of our Breatherin Belonging to the Baptist
Society in Northwood Pertetion to be Incorporated As a Bap-
tist Society in Said Northwood to which it was Not granted
we the Subscribers Understand there is now A Pertetion Before
youer Honnors by a Number of Pertetioners Belonging to Said
Society in Said Northwood to be Incorporated as the first Bap-
tist Society in Northwood —
Which youer Subscribers & Humble Pertetioners think if
granted will take away ouer Property and Priveledges In Sev-
arel Respects viz —
Mr Pilsburey who for a Number of years hath ben ouerMin-
estor and hath Bin In Fellowship with other Baptist Churches
in Sosation is now Changed his Princepels and Become what is
Called a Universlor and is not In fellow Ship with the Baptist
Churches and that tha Do Still Imploy M r Pilsbury to Preach
in the Meateing House to Which we Can not Unite with them
we youer Pertetionors being Proprietors and Holders in Part of
Said House & other Property tha Being a Majorrity of Said
Society Should tha Be Incorporated we must be Cut of from
ouer Priveledge As we Do Still hold ouer Selves members of
the Baptist Society and not Universalors
Wherefor we Humble Pray that Said Pertetion may Not be
granted
moses Johnson
Jon* Calley
Samuel Cook
Daniel French
Simeon knowles
thomis Rolings
samuel Durgin
98 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[In H. of Rep., June 12, 1798, the petition for an incor-
poration of the Baptist society was granted. Senate con-
curred next day. — Ed.]
1
[8—138] [Petition relative to laying out a Road, 1788 : ad-
dressed to the Senate and House of Representatives.^
Humbly shews the Subscribers, Inhabitants of Northwood,
that by an Act of the Legislature of tin's State, pass'd last year,
a Committee was appointed & impower'd, to lay out a High-
way from the Province Road, (so call'd) in Barnstead, to the
Country Road in Northwood, that since that time, said High-
way has been laid out, and clear'd, which greatly accommo-
dates Travellers, as well as teams passing from the North West
part of this State, to Portsmouth and many other places; That
the Road from Northwood to the great Bridge, over Exeter
River, leading from Newmarket to Stratham, is very crooked
and in many places might by small alterations be made not
only shorter, but laid on Land much firmer, and better, for a
Highway, and that all the necessary alterations may be made
with out any or but a trifling expence, in purchasing Land for
the same ; if there was a Committee appointed, to lay it out
and carry it into Effect
Wherefore, your Petitioners request, that Jonathan Clark
Esq r of Northwood, Jonathan Cilley Esq r of Nottingham, and
Cap 1 Josiah Bartlet of Lee, may be appointed and authorized
by an Act of this State, to lay out said Highway, and execute
the same, from where the aforesaid Committee finish'd in
Noithwood, to the aforesaid Bridge in Newmarket, and to
make Such Alterations by changing the Highway, or other-
wise, as may by them be deem'd necessary to make the same
shorter, and better ; and to lay it out at least three Rods wide
the whole way.
And that, as soon as the Committee shall have laid out said
Highway, and served the Select Men of the several and re-
spective Towns and Parishes thr° which the same shall pass,
with a Copy of their said laying out; That said Towns or
Parishes may become liable to such Penalties, as your Honours
may think necessary for their neglect of making the same pass-
able as soon as may be —
December 15 th 1788
Bradb y Cillev Samuel Sherburn John Wille
Samuel Brown N : Dudly Hill Nicholas Blake
Sherbun Blake John Harvey Joshua Furbur
NOTTINGHAM.
99
Asahel Blake
Eliphalet Duda
Joshua Hoit
Ebenezer Durgin
John Neley
John Crockett J r
Benjamin Hill
Samuel Crockett
Levi Meed
Abraham Batchelder
Samuel Hill
William Smith
Samuel Bartlet
John Crockett
Samuel Johnson
Taylor Clark
Nat 1 Keniston
Nathaniel Piper
Joseph york
William Buzel
David knowles
Joseph Leathers
Jacob Swain
William Clough
John fjile
John Wiggin
Jonathan Sanborn
Benjamin Hoit
Jonathan Hill
Henry Butler
Benjamin Butler
John D. Williams
[In H. of Rep., Feb. 5, 1789, the men named in the fore-
going were authorized to make a survey and report, which
they did as follows : — Ed.]
[8-139] \_Report of Committee on the foregoing. ,]
Pursuant to appointment, & in obedience to a Vote of the
Legislature, we have proceeded to ■ survey said Road in the
Petition mentioned— & have agreed to report that said Road
might be much altered for the better, by changing it agreably
to the prick'd lines in the plan herewith exhibited, as it is much
better Ground & considerably lessens the distance.
All which is humbly Submitted
Jon a Cilley")
Jon a Clark > Committee
^ J. Bartlet )
[The plan mentioned is No. 140 in manuscript volume. —
Ed.]
NOTTINGHAM.
The township of Nottingham, embracing the territory
now in Northwood and Deerfield in addition to that which
remains in the town, was granted May 10, 1722. The most
of the grantees were residents of Boston and Newbury,
Mass., and desired to name the town New Boston. Why it
received its present name instead is unknown.
The first proprietors' meeting was held at the house of
Maj. John Gilman, in Exeter, June 13, 1722.
100 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
The plan of the " centre square" was completed March
31, 1724, which was laid out substantially as it is at present.
It is known as Nottingham Square, and is one of the pleas-
antest locations in the state. 1
January 8, 1766, the south-west part of the town was
severed, and incorporated into a town named Deerfield.
The north-west part of the town was taken off, and incorpo-
rated into the town of North wood. February 6, 1773.
Nottingham was represented in the Revolution by many
able and brave men, among whom may be mentioned Dr.
Henry Dearborn, who was at Bunker Hill, and in most of
the battles of the war. He succeeded Scammel as colonel
of the Third N. H. Reg't in 1781 ; was secretary of war,
1801-1809; major-general, 1812, 1813; in congress two
terms; minister to Portugal, 1822-1824; died in Roxbury,
Mass., June 6, 1829.
Col. Joseph Cilley, born in 1734, and died in 1799, was in
command of the First N. H. Reg't at Bemis's Heights, which
was conspicuous for the bravery of its commander and men.
He was in most of the battles from Saratoga to Yorktown.
The following Nottingham men were in the First N. H.
Regiment :
James Beverly, entered January 4, 1777, discharged De-
cember, 1781.
Benjamin Butler, entered March 5, 1777, discharged
March 20, 1780.
Josiah Clark,* entered May 9, 1779, discharged November
20, 1781.
Thomas George, entered January I, 1777, discharged Jan-
uary 25, 1780.
Thomas Harvey,f entered June 1, 1779, discharged De-
cember, 1 78 1.
John P. Hilton, entered January 1, 1777, discharged Feb-
ruary 1, 1779.
Benjamin McAllister,* entered January 1, 1777, dis-
charged March 7, 1778.
Paul McCoy ,f entered April 25, 1779, discharged Decem-
ber, 1 78 1.
Bradstreet Mason, f entered January 8, 1779, discharged
December, 1781.
John Pike, entered January 1, 1777, discharged January,
1779.
•Died in the service, t Served also in the year 1782.
NOTTINGHAM. IOI
James Rendall, entered January i, 1777, discharged
Nathan Rendall, entered January 1, 1777, discharged
William Willey,* entered January I, 1777, discharged
December, 1781.
Joseph York,* entered March 1, 1777, discharged De-
cember, 1 78 1.
[Rev. Papers, p. 275]
A List of the Men Now in the Sarvice that Ingaged for the
Town of Nottingham before the year 1778 Viz.
In the Cavilry
Bradbury Mills
In the Infintry
Tho' Hall
Joseph Neally
Nicholas Leathers
Moses Davis
Tho s Welsh
Nath 1 Randel
Joseph York
Matthias Welsh
William Willey
Ingaged by the Town in 1779,
Josiah Clark J°hn Clark Jesse Clark
Broadstreet Mason William Simpson Paul M c Cay
Samuel Trickey
Ingaged in the year 1780
Joseph Avery Richard Sandborn
James Harvey Samuel York
Ingaged from Nottingham for Lee in 1777
Benj ft Welsh
1779 for Pembrook Tho" Harvey
1779 for Nottingham Joseph Hall
Jonathan Morgin
Tho' Bartlet for and in behalf of
Nottingham
Served also in the year 1782.
[8-144] \_Relative to Town Line, lj$6.~\
This May Certify whom it may Concern that we the Select-
men of y e town of Notting™ this present year are Informed that
y* Select Men or Committee of Durham hath been Runingthe
Line between Dover and Notting ,n without Notifying us and
intends to have it Confirmed at y e General Court which we
apprehend Not faire for had we known we wou'd been Radey
to have waited upon them —
Nottingham January y e 12th 1756
Robert Kellse ) Select Men of
franceis Harvey ) Nottingham
[8- 1 45] \_Trouble at Town- fleeting, 1753: Petition ad-
dressed to the Assembly.]
Shews —
That at the Annual Meeting of the Inhabitants of said Town
there happened Considerable Contention & Debate among the
102 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[8-142] \_A Petition of sundry Presbyterians to be joined to
Windham : addressed to the Governor and Council.]
The Humble Petition of Joseph Caldwell of the District of
Nottingham in said Province in behalf of himself and James \
Gibson John Mitchell John Caldwell James Warson Robert
Evans Daniel Dugglas Hugh Richey and Thomas Richey all
of the same Place Shews
That Your Petitioners having been Educated according to J
the Principles of the Kirk of Scotland are Presbyterians by
Profession and Desireous of Communion with a Church of that
Denomination which there is in the Parish of Windham about
four Miles Distant from the Place of Your Petitioner's habita- i
tion. 1
That the People of the said District are Divided in Senti-
ments Respecting Ministerial and Parochial i\ffairs and besides
are of a Different Opinion Concerning Points of Worship and
Discipline from Your Petitioners and therefore they cannot be
Desireous of joining together in one Parish — I
Wherefore Your Petitioners Humbly Pray that they may be
PolFd off to the said Parish of Windham with their families &
Estates & and added to that Parish — and thereby be Exempted
from any Concern as to Religious Ministerial & Parochial mat-
ters with the said Inhabitants of the said District or any Incor-
poration that may hereafter be made there and your Petitioners
as in Duty Bound Shall Ever Pray &.C
Joseph Caldwell
NOTTINGHAM.
(03
Voters about the Choice of proper Officers, Especially a Town
Clerk and the old Clerk Refusing to Act after a New one was
Chosen, & there being no Justice of the Peace there to Swear
him, neither of them woud Act, and So no Entry was made
after the Choice of a Moderator of the Proceedings of the
Meeting — That this Contention & Wrangling Spent away the
time till Late in the Evening, and the meeting broke up with-
out having Chosen any Town Officer but the Clerk and with-
out any Adjournment, but the next day a Number of the Vot-
ers Casually Meeting, adjournd to the first Day of May then next.
That your Petitioners upon advisement Conceive, that ad-
journment cant be good, as the Meeting at which it was made
"was a Meer accidental Assembly, not Connected with nor De-
rived from any Legal Meeting, and as none of the Officers will
be Chosen (Shoud they proceed) Agreeable either to Law or
the Charter of Said Town
That in Case their proceeding at the Said Adjournment Coud
by any Construction be Supported (which they See no Colour
for) yet as Disputes about the necessary Town affairs, are al-
ways prejudicial to the People, Especially in New Settlements,
it appears to Your Petitioners, at least to be Prudent to take
away all Grounds for the Same — Wherefore Your Petitioners
Humbly Pray that in Your Great Wisdom & Goodness, you
woud be pleased to Interpose your Authority in this Case, and
by an Actor Resolve (as Shall be Judgd Necessary) order a
New Town Meeting, & appoint Some Prudent Suitable Person
to Call & Govern the Same giving the usual time for Notifying
the End & Design as well as place for holding the Same — or
Grant Such other Relief in the Premises as you Shall Upon the
whole matter Judge best and your Petitioners as in Duty bound
Shall Ever Pray &c—
Willam raa
James morrison
Willam m c Crles
Rice Rowel
And w Simpson
David Morrison
Daniel Davis
William Kelso
matthew neley
William Morrison
Benj a Shaw
William Nelley
Francis Harvey
John Radman
Israel Blake
Abraham Scales
David Glass
Samuel Langley
Robert kellse
James glass
Edward Bean Juner
georg Bean
moses Blasdel
Joseph Pener
thomas Berley
John Batlet
Caleb Burly
John masen
John Shaw
John Nelley
Beniman fox
James Kelley
John Hix
Samoull Hix
James Bean
David Clifford
Thomas Simpson
[In H. of Rep., May 3, 1753, the petition was granted,
104 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
and Joshua Peirce was appointed to call a meeting, of which
he was to be moderator. — Ed.]
[8-146] [ Vote of Town relative to Minister Rates, i7S9-~\
At a meeting of the Prop 8 of Nottingham held at the meeting
house in said Town on y e 3 d day of July 1759
Voted That Peter Gilman & Nathaniel Peirce Esq" and
Doct r Daniel Rogers, be a Com tte To make applvcation to the
Generall Court for a Tax of three pence p r acre New Tenor to
be Laid upon all the Lands in notting ham Eccepting the
Rights Granted for a Parssonage and School and to Enable the \
proprietors by an act To asses, and Collect the Same, and j
when the Money is Collected To be paid to Peter Gilman Esq r |
Proprieters Treasurer And that he pay of Said Sum Twenty j
Three hundred Pounds old Tenor To the Rev d M r Butler, Min-
ister of Nottingham, to Discharge so much of what the Town
obliged themselves by Vote to pay Said M r Butler on his Set-
tlement in Said Town and the Remaining part to be paid for
Charges and Accoumpts as shall be allowed by the proprieters,
or by Committees appointed by them for the Settlements of
such Accoumpts —
a True Coppy from Notting" 1 Proprief 8 Book of Records
attes* Peter Gilman Prop™ Clark
[R. 3-82] [Petition of Robert Mason, Soldier, i?6o..~\
[In a petition dated January 14, 1760, " Robert Mason of 1
Nottingham Labourer," stated that he "was a Soldier in the
Crown Point Expedition in the year 1756," "in the Com-
pany whereof John Shepard was Captain & as such pro-
ceeded to Fort William Henry where being out with said 1
Captain upon a scout was made a Prisoner & carried to
Canada where he Remained till after the Reduction of Que- j
bee & was then sent back to Crownpoint with the Prisoners
that were Captivated at Fort Du Quesne in which captivity
he was stripped of all his cloathes & suffered great hard- |
ships." He asked for an allowance, which was granted to
the extent of £172, 2, 6, out of the money raised for the
Crown Point expedition. — Ed.]
[R. 3-83] [Petition of Israel Blake, 1761.]
[In a petition, dated Nottingham, January 20, 1761, Israel
Blake stated. that his son "Israel Blake Jun r was out in y°
NOTTINGHAM. 105
army Last Campaign," and that he was taken sick. He
wanted pay for the expense of going after him. — Ed.]
[8-147] [ Vote relative to a Division of the Town, 1765.]
This is to Notifye and Warn all the Freeholders & Other In-
habitants of the Town of Nottingham Qualifved by law to vote
in the Town Affairs to meet at the Meeting House in Said Not-
tingham on the third Thursday of this Instant april at Ten of
the Clock in the Forenoon. —
First To Chuse a Moderator —
Secondly To See if then present voters will think Proper to
set off the Southwesterly Corner In Nottingham so called as a
Destinct Parish According to the Following Boundaries viz To
Begin at the Bounds between the 9th and iothLots In the first
Range And to Extend to the Head Line in said Nottingham.
Then to begin At the bounds between the 21st and 22 d Lots In
the second Range and to Extend to the said Head Line of Not-
tingham and Likewise to Include the whole of the 3 d 4th 5th
and 6th Ranges of the 3 d Division so called in said Nottingham
with the Lands & Settlers on the westerly side of plesant Pond
so far as the Road Extends to Epsom Line Includeing all the
Farms And Settlers on Said Epsom Road (so called) to the
Head line of Nottingham as likewise the whole of the 100 acre
lots in Bow Street on the Southwesterly side of Said Street In-
cludeing Josiah Sawyers lot being the Original Lot of Archi-
bald Macfadrix To the Head of said bow Street.
Thomas Simpson ) Select
Sam 11 Tilton ) Men
■ , .
At a Town Meeting held at the Meeting house at Notting-
ham Agreeable to a Warrant dated the third Thursday in April
1765.
Voted That Thomas Simpson Esq serve as Moderator of
said Meeting
Voted That the upper End of Nottingham be set off as a
Destinct parrish Agreeable to the above Dated Warrant. —
Cap* Joseph Cilley Appears In said meeting and offers his
Decent against the above voted parrish being set off according
to the Boundarys Specifyed In Said Warrant.
Andrew Simpson william Sanborn Moses Davis
Jun r Gideon Straw Sam 11 Danils
Volintine Hill Zepheniah Butler John Keneston
David Beverly Joseph Morrill John Morrill Jun r
io6
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Joseph Cilley Jun r
Daniel Kelley
Ebenz r Paige
James Morrison
Cutting Cilley
John Mills
Caleb Burleig
Thomas Harvy
John Morrill
Charles Gliddon
Jonathan Crossbe
James Been
Edward pevey
James Kelsee
Andrew Simpson
Philip Rartlett
Joshua Trickey
Nathaniel watson
Francis Harvy
Abraham Scailes
John Bartlet
John Nealy
Benjamin Shaw
Benjamin York
Andrew Baker
Jam 8 Kelsey
The persons above Named Appeared and made" a Publick
Decent against The above said vote For these Reasons viz Be-
cause the Boundarys Ware Unreasonable : and Because the
vote was passed before the Inhabitants ware Generally Gather-
ed as was Supposed and also Because that a Number of the
men that then voted for said parrish ware not Legal Inhabitants
nor never ware Taxed in Said Town.
A True Coppy
attest Benjamin Shepard Town Clarck
[The south-west part was set off January 8, 1766, and in-
corporated by the name of Deerfield. — Ed.]
£8-148] [ Vote relative to a Divisio?t of the Town, lyyiS]
Province of Newhampshire
This is to Notify & warn all the Freeholders And other In-
habitants of the Town of Nottingham Qualifyed by law to Vote
in town Affairs to Assemble and Meet at the Meetinghouse In
Said town on Tuesday the 26 th Day of March Instant at ten of
the Clock in the forenoon.
1 My To Chuse a Moderator
2 d ly To Chuse a town Clark, Select men, Constables And
all other Town officers as the Law Directs
3 d ly The Third article in the warrant I here Omitt
4 th ly The fourth Article in this warrant I also Omitt
5 th ly To See if the Town will Set off all that Part of the
Town above Long Street So Called as a Parish Dated at Not-
tingham This 11 th Day of March Annoque Domini 1771
John Sherburn, \
Jo' Cilley Jun r \
Tho' Bartlet )
Select Men
A True Copy attest Benjamin Butler Town Clerk
at a Legal Town Meeting held at the Meeting house on tues-
day the 26 th Day of March A. D. 17.71.
NOTTINGHAM.
I07
Pursuant To the above warrant
Voted that the 5 th Article in the Warrant — Respecting Seting
off all that Part of The Town above Longstreet So Called as a
Parish Pass in the affirmative a True Copy
attest. Benjamin Butler Town Clerk
Dated at Nottingham this 10 th Day of December 1771 .
[8-149] \_A Petition for a Division of the Town: addressed
to the General Asse??zbly, 1771.']
The Petition of Sundry of the Inhabitants of the Town of
Notingham Humbly Sheweth that many of the Inhabitants of
Said Town Live at a great Distance from the meeting-house at
Notingham-Square and are not able to Travil So far to attend
the Publick worship of God there, Neither have we any benefit
of the Schools that are kept in Said Town, altho we are obliged
to pay our Proportion thereof. Wherefore your Petitioners
Humbly Pray your Excellency and Honours that there may be
a Parish Set off in Said Town, Agreeable to a Vote Pass d in
Said Town the Twenty Sixth Day of march AD 1771 Namely,
all the Land in Said Town on the Northwesterly Side of Long
Street (So Called) and So bounded South westerly on Deer-
field Line We therefore Humbly Pray that your Excelency &
honours would take our Case under your wise Consideration
and Set of a Parish as afore Said with the Power and Privi-
ledges of other Towns or Parishes in this Province and your Pe-
titioners as in Duty bound Shall Ever Pray —
Dated at Notingham December 10 th 1771
Solomon Bickford
John Batchelder
Increase Batchelder
Moses Godfry
William Wallace
Benjamin Godfry
Davis Batchelder
William Blake
Daniel hoit
Wiliam Precut
thorn as piper
John Sherbon
henery Derborn
Sherbon Derborn
Levy Derborn
Sherborn blake
johnathun clarke
Joseph page
jeremiah dow
John hervie
necoles Blake
Samuel jonson
john Bickford
nathaniel moriel
Calob clough
mories Lamper
Nottingham May y e 19 th 1772
This may Certify all whom it may Concern that the Select
men of Nottingham are well Knowing in this affair Concerning
this parish Being Sett of above Long Street for I tak'd my two
Brethren a few Days ago and they Had nothing to object against
108 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
it being Established as a parish all I have to Say being one of
the Select men Edmund Hodgdon —
[The portion of the town referred to in the foregoing doc-
uments was set off Feb. 6, 1773, and incorporated by the
name of Northwood. — Ed.]
[8— 151] \_Petition of Peter Hanson for a Divorce: ad-
dressed to the General Assembly, Feb. 12, 1778.'] i
Most humbly sheweth, Peter Hanson of Nottingham in said J
State, that your Petitioner was born in that unhappy Quarter
of the World called Africa, whose Inhabitants have been usu- \
ually Stole, transported and Sold in the Markets of America
like Cattle, notwithstanding they have but two legs, and are
formed in the Same Image as White men. In like manner j
your Petitioner was bro't to this State and Sold, w r here by his j
faithfull and diligent behaviour in his Masters Service he has j
Obtained his freedom ; and humbly presumes that by his In-
dustry he is in a likely way not to be Unuseful to the Commu-
nity. He begs leave further to shew that in the time of his j
Servitude he was Married to one Venus his Countrywoman j
and Slave to M r Nathaniel Cooper of Dover, that by agreement
with, and Consent of said Venus he has for more than one j
year past refrained to Cohabit with her as his wife, for the j
following reasons viz Because he Verily believes the making
Slaves of any of the human Race is Unrighteous in the Sight f
of God, and a Cruel Despotick power used by one part of j
Mankind over another, and that his begetting Children to be
and remain Slaves during their lives would be very Wricked,
and for which he might deserve the Curses of such a Posterity
groaning under Bondage — Also for that in his present happy j
State ot Freedom he cannot have any Comfort in the Conjugal j
State with a person who is a Slave and cannot reside with him j
or Even so much as Speak to him without leave from her Mas-
ter or Mistress, which he has been formerly denied and he not
Suffered to tarry in the house with her.
Wherefore your Petitioner most humbly prays that your
Honours (who have so nobled Strugled in the Cause ot
Natural Liberty) will take his case into your wise Considera-
tion, and relieve him from being tied to a Slave, under the
Temptation of begetting Slaves, and liberate him by dissolving
the Bonds of Matrimony between him and the said Venus.
And your Petitioner as in duty bound will ever pray most fer-
vently
his
Peter P Hanson
mark
NOTTINGHAM. IO9
[In H. of Rep., Aug. 20, 1778, a hearing was ordered for
the next session of the legislature ; but the matter did not
come before the next or probably any subsequent legisla-
ture. — Ed.]
[R. 3-84] \_Petitio?i of John McCoy, Marine, I77Q^\
State of New Hampshire
To the Hon ble Council & Assembly of said State —
Humbly Shews John M c Coy of Nottingham in the State
aforesaid that he Entered as a Marine on Board the Conti-
nental Frigate Raleigh Capt Thomas Thompson Commander
and Continued on Board during her first Cruise That on the
4 th of Septem r 1777 in an Engagement between the s d Raleigh
and the British Sloop of War Druid he received a grape shot a
little below his hip Bone which has never been Extracted, by
means of which he is wholly rendered incapable of any sort of
labour to maintain himself hath suffered great pain, and been
at very considerable Expense to Surgeons to obtain a Cure, but
has found very little relief — wherefore he prays he may receive
the Benefit promised by Congress to persons in such Cases,
and he will ever pray —
Nottinghman June 17 th 1779
John X M c Coy
mark
[R. 3-853 ™
[In H. of Rep., Nov. 17, 1779, " John Whitehorn a Sol-
dier in Col° Wigglesworth Regiment who was wounded at
Ticonderoga and has lost the use of his knee," was enrolled
for half pay from Dec. I, 1776, until further orders. — Ed.]
[R. 3-863 \_Petition of Anna Thomas: addressed to the
General Court, 1781.]
The Humble Petition of Anna Thomas of Nottingham in
the county of Rockingham and State aforesaid Widdow Shew-
eth that your Petitioner's Late Husband Lieu* Joseph Merrill
Thomas Entered into the Service of the United States Early in
the year 1775 and Continued in said Service untill the Battle at
Bemoses Hights on the Nineteenth of Sep r 1777 in which Bat-
tle he Lost his Life while Fighting in Defence of his Country
110 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
ling Chil- 1
and left your Petitioner with a Large Family of Young
dren almost Destitute of any Support.
# * *
Nottingham Jan r 22 : 1781
Anna Thomas
[She asked for half pay, in accordance with a law of con-
gress, which was granted. — Ed.]
[R. 3-87] [Soldier's Receipt, 1781.']
Nottingham July 5 th 1781.
Received of John Chesley one of the Constables for the Town
of Nottingham Six hundred and one Pound fifteen Shillings
towards my wages as a Soldier in Cap 1 Raynolds Company on
the western frontiers I Say Receivd Pr
Josiahr goodhue
[R. 3-88] [Deposition of Aaron Hayes, relative to yoseph
Hall, 178 2. ~\
The Deposition of Aaron Hayes of Lawful age, who Testi-
fyes and Saves that to his Knowledg Joseph Hall a Soldier in
one of the Newhampshire Regiments in the Continental army
was an Inhabitant of Nottingham for a Number of years before
he went into the army and that he lived in the Town of Not-
tingham when he Inlisted for the Town of Barrington for the
term of one year and I have heard it said by a Number of
Parsons that the Town of Barrington for sometime Refused for
to pay him his hire because he had Inlisted during the war for
the Town of Nottingham and further Saith Not
Aaron Hayes
[R. 3-89 is a similar deposition by Nicholas Leathers,
who states that he was a soldier with Hall at Reading,
Conn. Both were sworn before Thomas Bartlett. — Ed.] 1
[8—152] [Petition for a Magistrate : addressed to the Gov-
ernor and Council ]
The Petition of the Subset ibers, Freeholders and Inhabitants
of the Town of Nottingham in said State humbly shews, that
a large proportion of the Inhabitants of said Town, labour un-
NOTTINGHAM.
Ill
der a great Disadvantage in transacting many kinds of Business
wherein the aid or presence of a Magistrate is necessary ; their
detached Situation, & the length and roughness of the Way
making it very inconvenient and Troublesome, to attend on
every such Occasion, at the South part of said Town, in which
part only Justices have yet been appointed —
Wherefore your Petitioners humbly beg Liberty to recom-
mend to Excellency's & Honour's Notice, Cap' Moses Dame of
said Town, as a Person, whom we think suitable for a Justice
of Peace, and one whom we conceive is agreabie to the People
in General ; and humbly pray your Excellency & honours to
take the same under Consideration, & that he may be Ap-
pointed & commissioned accordingly — & your petitioners shall
pray—
Nottingham 2 d June 1785 —
Jacob Burnham moses Davis iuner
Israel Randel Job Langley
Abednego Leathers John Bo wen
John Randel Daniel young
mason Rendel Abner Davis
Edm d Hodgdon Roberd Davis
Benjamin Stokes Jonathan Davis
David Davis
Nathaniel Chesley
Robert Hill
Samuel trickey
Jacob Davis
Charles furnel
ham Libey
Moses Davis
John giles
Abel Leathers
Jonathan Davis
Juner
John Davis
John keneson
Charles wille
Joseph Priest
thomas whitehorn
quilk preast
Isaac Spencer
Aaron Hayes
Solomon hayes
Samuel Gray
Caleb Follet
Andrew Chesley
Samuel Dam
John gile
Vowel Leather
William Lowry
John" m c Crilles
Samuel Daniels
Andrew wille
Jonathan wille
Stoten Tuttle
Samuel Burnham
Joseph Leathers
mark whidden
John Chesley
Daniel Elkins
thomas lines
Jonathan Randel
James Kelsey
Joseph Davis
John follet
Thomas furnel
Joshua Drew
miles hodston
Thomas Welch
Nathanael Goodhue
[8-153] [ Vote relative to Paper Currency, i^Sj.'}
Rockingham ss At a
Legal
Town Meeting heald at the
Meetinghouse in the Town of Nottingham on the Seventeenth
Day of October 17S5 agreeable to a Warrent for that Purpose.
Voted that it is the opinion of this Town that the General
Court be Desired for to Make a paper Currency on the Best
footing that they in there Great wisdom May think best, and it
112 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
is further the opinion of this Town that if the General Court
Should Make a Paper Currency that it should be founded upon
Real Estate and be put on a Low Intrest, and that the Town
Clark be Directed for to Transmit a Coppy of this Vote to the
General Court at there Next Sessions to be holden at Concord
a True Coppy attest — Thomas Bartlet Town Clk
[For legislative action, see Atkinson papers, Vol. XI. —
Ed.]
ORANGE.
[8-154] Petition of Simeon Olcott for a grant of Cardigan :
addressed to the Governor and Council.~\
Most humbly Shews
That there is a Tract of his Majesty's Unappropriated Land
lying within this Province not heretofore granted, known by
the name of Cardigan, Bounded Westerly on Canaan Southerly
on Grafton Easterly on the Patent line (so called) and North-
erly on Cockermouth.
And Your Petitioner and his Associates being Desirous of
making an Immediate Settlement on the Premises which he
apprehends contains about Six Miles square,
Most humbly Pray
Your Excellency and Honors to make them a Grant of the
The township was granted Feb. 6, 1769, to Isaac Fellows
and others, by the name of Cardigan, which name had been s
applied to the locality some years before.
The inhabitants petitioned several times to have the town 1
incorporated, viz. : In 1779 D Y tne name of Bradford ; in \
1783 by the name of Middleton ; in 1789 by the name of J
Liscomb, which name was crossed out in the petition and
Orange inserted. June 18, 1790, the town was incorporated
by its present name. By an act approved Dec. 13, 1804,
a portion of Orange was annexed to Hebron, and a portion
of Hebron was annexed to Orange. The last named act
was amended Dec. 2, 1808, and the line between the two
towns established.
A portion of this town was annexed to the town of Alex-
andria, Dec. 6, 1820.
ORANGE. 113
same under the usual or such Restrictions Conditions and Res-
ervations as Your Excellency and Honors in your great Wis-
dom shall Judge meet. And Your Petitioner as in Duty Bound
shall Ever Pray &c ra
Portsmouth September 15 th 1768
Simeon Olcott for himself &
Associates
Ordered to lay.
[8-155] [Petition of Isaac Felloivs aud yohn Larrabee for
a grant of Cardigan : addressed to the Governor and
Council.']
humbly shews
That y r Petitioners, & their Associates are desirous of setling
upon some of his Majestys unimproved Lands within this Gov-
ernment and having found a Tract for that Purpose known by
the Name of Cardigan never as yet (as your Petitioners are in-
formed) granted to any Persons
And Your Petitioners humbly beg Leave to Assure y r Excel-
lency & Honours that if they can be indulged with a Township
of six Miles square on said Tract of Land, they and their Asso-
ciates will immediately apply themselves to settle the same
with a number of families as soon as the same can be laid out
— And your Petitioners as in Duty bound shall ever pray
Isaac Fellows
John Larrabee
Portsm Oct r 19 th 176S
[The township was granted to the foregoing petitioners
and their associates Feb. 6, 1769. — Ed.]
[Prom Gen. Chase's Papers, page 93, Library of JSf. U.
Historical Society.]
To Col Jonathan Chase Esq r —
Sir — In obedience to your orders for drafting of one fourth part
of The Malitia under My Command to Complete The Regi-
ment Raising for 2 Months &c I have Drafted Serjant Joseph
Basford and Leut. Elijah Cady & Eli lieu Corlis Turned oute
Voluntaryly and have Ordered Them to March to The place of
Rendezvous fourth with — from your Humb 1 Ser e
Joseph Kinne Cap*
Cardigan 2S th . July A D 1777
10
Time they
Time when
entered service Returned Duration
September
30 October 25 26 Days
Ditto
Ditto
Ditto
Ditto
Ditto
Ditto
Ditto
Ditto
Abel Wilder Lieu*
114 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[Ibid, page 151]
A return of the men who marched from Cardigan Showing
the time they were in the Service
Carracter Names
Lieu* Abel Wilder
Corporal Joseph Kinney
fifer Daniel Kinney
Private Simion Parkhurst
Ditto Thandius ornes
one Pack horse 26 days
[Ibid, page 164]
Sir you have sent to me Raise our Quoto of Contenental Men
and gave orders for y e Select Men to assist and to give the Men
two Hundred Dollors apece Now Sir I would Inform you that
this Town is not Incorpoi-ated therefore we have no Ethorety
we have no Select Men No Treasury to Draw the Money out
of — Nither have I one Commssion ohser to help Me to Raise
the Men or to pay the Money — Thairfore I Desire to be Ex-
cused — also I am ordered to Render an account of the Number
of Men in the train bandthair is thurteen that the Law Requirs
to have arms and four in the alaram list —
Sir I am in the 63 year of my age and full of Infarmitys and
discouragments and not Capable of taking Care of my one bis-
ness tharfore I desire to be Excused — Sir I Resine my Com-
mision and If you think it worth it will be to any purpos to
Send to this poor place for Men thair must be a new Set of
ofisers apointed for the burden is two grait for me
from your humble Sarvent
Joseph Kinne
Cardagan August 10 1779
To Coll Jonathon Chase
[8—156] [Petition of Inhabitants of Cardigan to be incorpo-
rated^ etc. : addressed to the General Court.']
Humbly Shew — 1
That your Petitioners and other inhabitants of the afores d Town
of Cardigan have Ben Sent to for Very Large taxes time and I-
again and Not Being under any Capacity to Raise or Collect
the same for Want of propper authority ; we Cannot Call a
Legal town meeting nor Chuse a Legal orTecer : it is true we
have presumed to Warn meeting and Chuse town officers :
ORANGE. 115
finally we have presumed to tax the inhabitants persuant to the
precepts Received in y e years 1 777 & x 77$ anc * Delivered the
Rate Bills to the Constables and Collectors and taken their
Receipts theirfor But all to No purpose —
Theirfore We the Subscribers your humble petitioners Pray
that your Honn" Would take it into your W T ise Consideration
and Grant us an Incorporation that We might Be able to an-
swer the Demands of our Legeslature finally that we may Be
intitled to all the priveliges of the other Incorporated Towns in
This State : further We Humbly Begg that your Honnours
Would appoint us a Justice of Peace for the Wellfair and
Good order of our town Beg Leave to inform your Honn"
that the Greatest part of the town is Dissatisfied With the
Name That it Now Bears Theirfore pray your Honn" to Give
it the name of Bradford or Warwick all Which your humble
Petitioners in Duty Bound Shall Ever pray —
Cardigan Decern 1 y e 2i Rt 1779 !
John Parkhurst Semeion Packharst Jonathan Hoyt
Joseph Kinne Jonathan atherton David Ames
Sameull Burditt Thomas Burditt Isereal Hoyt
[In H. of Rep., Feb. 12, 1780, a hearing was ordered for
the next session. — Ed.]
[8-157] \_Petiiion of the Selectmen relative to assessing 1
Taxes: addressed to the General Court, yan, 26, iy8o.~\
Humbly Shew that where as About Three years agoe the
Honourable Cort was Pleas d to Authorise Cap 1 Caleb Clark to
open a meeting in said Town in order to Inable us toLavy And
Collect Taxes for s d State where fore we desire your Honours
would Impower the Inhabitents of S d Town with previledges of
other Towns In Regard of Colleting ther Taxes for the Tarm
of Three years more And we your Humble petitioners in duty
Bound Shall Ever pray
Jabez B. Barney")
W m Arwen V Selectmen
Benj ft Briggs j
An Inventory of The Real Estate of the Non-resident Propri-
etors mening their Hundred acer Lots togeather With 100 acer
Lots Belonging to the Inhabitants
acer No Price
James M c Hurd Esq r 100 Lot 32 Range 7 South £14
Nath" Rogers Esq r 100 D° 25 Range 5 D° 14
Eben r Brown D° Lot 16 Range 2 D° 14
u6
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
D° Lo
D° Lo
D° Lo
D° Lo
Eben r Craft D° Lo
Isaac Fellows D° Lo
Jesse Spaulding Ju r D° Lo
Rob* Washburn
Tho 9 Gray
Will" 1 Ferriman
Ale x Miller
Eben r Child D° Lo
Sam 11 Addams D° Lo
Jacob Fellows D° Lo
Ephraim Jones D° Lo
John Larrabe D° Lo
Joshua Dunlap D° Lo
Ezekiel Pierce D° Lo
Elishe Payne D° Lo
Curtiss Spaulding D° Lo
Eliphalet Dyer ' D° Lo
ArtherMorey D° Lo
Ephraim Spaulding Ju r D° Lo
Timothy Larrabe " D° Lo
Daniel RingeEsq r D° Lo
Simon Fobes
Nemiah Stevens
Daniel Foster
Richard Smith
W m Darby-
George Wintworth
Wil m Fernam
Tho 8 Stevens
Jabez Ensvvorth
Sam 11 Chandler
Nath 11 Pierce
Andrew Backus
Richard Sattington Esq 1 " D° Lo
Benj a Hurd D° Lo
Benj a Carv D° Lo
Sam 11 Drown D° Lo
John Cady D° Lo
Daniel Payne Tu r D° Lo
W m Whiting Esq r D° Lo
James Bradford D° Lo
Very Roise D° Lo
John Green D° Lo
Joseph Shepard D° Lo
Daniel Warner D° Lo
David Shepard D° Lo
D°
D°
D°
D°
D°
D°
D°
D°
D°
D°
D°
D°
Lo
Lo
Lo
Lo
Lo
Lo
Lo
Lo
Lo
Lo
Lo
Lo
No
Price
II
Range 1 D°
H
IO
Range 1 D°
H
9
Range 1 D°
15
8
Range 1
15
6
Range 1
H
3
Range 1
12
2
Range 1
l 4
1
Range 1
H
37
Range 2
H
38
Range 3
12
39
Range 3
12
1
Range 1 North
H
2
Range 1
12
3
Range 1
12
4
Range 1
12
5
Range 1
H
6
Range 1
H
7
Range 1
H
8
Range 1
12
9
Range 1
12
10
Range 1
12
11
Range 1
12
H
Range 1
H
15
Range 1
H
16
Range 2
i5
l 7
Range 2
H
18
Range
12
l 9
Range 2
14
20
Range 2
12
21
Range 2
12
22
Range 2
12
23
Range 3
12
H
Range 3
12
25
Range 3
12
26
Range 3
12
27
Range 3
12
29
Range 3
12
28
Range 3
12
30
Range 4
H
3 1
Range 4
H
3 3
Range 4
H
33
Range 4
12
34
Range 4
12
35
Range 4
12
36
Range 4
12
37
Range 5
12
ORANGE.
117
acer
No
Price
Elkanah Cobb
D°
Lot
33
Range 5
12
W m Barns Esq r
D°
Lot
39
Range 5
12
John Pierce
Elkanah Cobb Ju r
D°
Lot
40
Range 5
H
D°
Lot
4 1
Range 5
H
Joseph Eaton
Sam 11 Gray
D°
Lot
42
Range 5
H
D°
Lot
43
Range 5
H
Elisha Pirkins
D°
Lot
44
Range 6
H
Zadock Spaulding
D°
Lot
45
Range 6
r 4
Ichabod Omsby
D°
Lot
46
Range 6
H
Jesse Spaulding
D°
Lot
47
Range 6
12
John Fuller
D°
Lot
48
Range 6
12
Ephraim Spaulding
D°
Lot
49
Range 6
12
Thom 8 Si mines
D°
Lot
5o
Range 6
12
Nathan Waldo
D°
Lot
51
Range 7
12
Abiel Leonard
D°
Lot
5 2
Range 7
12
James Brown
D°
Lot
53
Range 7
12
Benj ft Spaulding
D°
Lot
54
Range 7
12
Sam 11 Adams Ju r
D°
Lot
55
Range 7
H
John Douglass
D°
Lot
56.
Range 7
H
Bery Clark
D°
Lot
57
Range 7
H
Sam 11 Chandler
D°
Lot
5S
Range 8
H
John Windal
D°
Lot
59
Range 8
H
John Williams
D°
Lot 60
Range 8
12
David Payne
D°
Lot 61
Range 8
12
Verny Fellows
D°
Lot 62
Range 8
12
Eben r Paine
D°
Lot
63
Range 8
12
Isaac Coit
D°
Lot
r 3
Range 1
12
Andrew Spaulding
D°
Lot
12
Range 1
10*
George hodges
D°
Lot
12 South Range 1
10*
Daniel Paine
D°
Lot
7 South Range 1
12
Theodor Atkinson
D°
Lot
iS
Range 2
H
Joseph Spaulding
D°
Lot
21
Range 3
10*
The Lots mening 100 acer Lots Number 13 : T4: 15: 17:
19: 20: 22: 23: 24: 26: 27: 2S : 29: 30: 31: 33: 34: 35:
30 Belong To the inhabitants of the town of Cardigan and the
improvements Belonging to S d Lots are Carried in in the in-
ventory of S d town of Cardigan and after Deduction of The im-
provements the Remaind at £10: o : o p r Lot Which amounts
to £190-0-0- as Was Prised By us Comt ee appointed By the
Select men of Canaan and Sworn Before Will" 1 Ayer Just of Peace
Togeather With the other above and Within Lots as the
Stand Prised in the Last Colloms in these Pages Test
The improvements out.
Jonathan Hoyt r p t
John Parkhur'
•st)
Il8 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[Inventory, no date.']
No. of Poles 1 8 years old & upward 21
Acres of Tillage Land 8
Acres of Mowing Land 18
Acres of Pasturing Land 6
Horses & Mares 10
Colts 3 years old 1
No. of Oxen 4
No. of Cows 18
Cattle 2 years old • 13
Cattle 1 year old 10
The above is an Inventory of the Poles and other Rateables
of the Town of Cardigan, Taken by us the Subscribers
David Ernes \
Sayer Bullok > Selectmen
W m Arvin j
[8-160]
A list or Detale of the Sarvice Done in the army of the unit-
ed States of America By the town of Cardigan
in the first Place 2 men (viz) Daniel Kinne & Jabez Park-
hurst in the years Sarvice
2 nd Seven men a tower to ticonderoga in an alarem
3 r thre men a tower to the Creek 2 months
4 th Six men a tower to Saratoga at the taking General Bur-
goyn—
5 ft one man a tower in a Scouting Party to Coos
Furthermore Six men on the allarm to Royaltown
Test John Parkhurst Town Clerk
N: B: all this Service has Ben Done and No Remittances
made Except to the first 2 men in the years Service and the three
men the two months Service only What Was paid by the town
of Cardigan
[8-161] [Petition of Inhabitants relative to Taxes, etc. : ad-
dressed to the General Assembly. ,]
Humbly Shews —
That the General Assembly of S d State in the Early Period
of the late Revolution did lay a Heavy doomage on S d town of
Cardigan as a Rule and foundation Whereon to make the Sev-
eral assessments (with the other towns in Said State) —
ORANGE. 119
For the Support of the Late War &c : and accordingly Have
from time to time Made their Several Levies and Demands on
S d town Both for men and money in support of the Wars and
other Charges of Government Which We have Never Ben able
to Discharge according to the Demands of S d State for the fol-
lowing Reasons (Viz) I st That the inhabitants of S d town Being
Not more than twenty Families at any time and under Very
Low sircumstances Just Beginning to Settle in S d town at the
Commencement of the Wars have Ben put to Great Shifts and
hardships to Support themselves and families and Not able to
Bear any Part of the Publick Charge more than What they have
Necessarily Ben obliged to do —
2 nd That We Never have Ben incorporated With town Prev-
iliges and theirfore under No Capacity of Levying or Collect-
ing any Tax in S d town and Consiquently have Not Ben Rep-
resented in S d Assembly
3 d That Notwithstand our inability have During the Wars
Ben at Very Considerable Cost and Expence in Scouting and
Turning out frequently on allarams upon the Northren Frontiers
for all Which We have Never Ben allowed any thing —
4 th That During the Wars until Lately We With other towns
Have Ben Considered By Congress as Not under the immedi-
ate Jurisdiction of the State of Newhamshire as By their Re-
solve of the 24 th of September 1779 may appear (Reference
their to Being had) for Which allowances have Ben made By
Congress of their Demands on S d State Which has occationed
the Delay in making application to your honours untill this
time —
Whereupon Your Petitioners Humbly Prays your Honours
To take their Cause into your Wise Consideration and Grant
us Such Relief in the premices as our indigent Sircumstances
Justly Call for as you in your Wisdom and Compation Shall
Judge Just and Reasonable as your Petitioners in duty Bound
Shall Ever Pray—
Dated at Cardigan the 9 th Day of Decern' 1 783 —
David Ames Joseph Basford jenthan Bullock
Barnabas Cady Sayer Bullok David Ames Jun r
John Parkhurst Joseph Gushe Benjamin Briggs
Jonathan Hoyt william Corliss William Arwen
[In H. of Rep., Dec 25, 1783, "Voted that the Township
of Cardigan be abated one sixth part of the Public Taxes
raised since the last proportion." Senate non-concurred. —
Ed.]
120 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[8-162] [Petition of ^Jonathan Hoyt, relative to taxing- No?i-
Residents : addressed to the General Assembly.^
Humbly sheweth
that the Inhabitants of said Cardigan are under very great dis-
advantage Respecting makeing and Keeping in Repair our pub-
lic Roads and are unable to go through the unavoidable expence
attending the same therefore the said Agent humbly prays the
Proprietors of said Township may be ordered by this Court to
pay the sum of Nine shillings on each original right to be ap-
propriated for the purposes aforesaid — as in Duty bound shall
ever pray
Concord Decb r 20th 1783
Jonathan Hoyt agent
[8-163] [Relative to a Road.~\
Cardigan Oct r ye 19 AD 17S3
We the Subscriber of the s.d Town of Cardigan Request
that there may be a Road Laid out and AsStablish' for the Use
of the publick and the Inhabitants of s.d Town Beginning at
■will™ aldrich Mill in Grafton. Then Running Norwesterly by
Cardigan East Pond from thence to Jonathan Hoyt's From
thence to Jonathan Sprages from thence Through Col Dams
Goer to Cap' Robart Barbers farm From thence to M p Ingrams
in Dogister from Thence Through Lime to Conaticut River
Which Road is loock d out and Partly Cut Through
[8-164] \_Petition of Inhabitants to be incorporated : ad-
dressed to the General Assembly. ~\
Humbly Shew —
That your Petitioners and other Inhabitants of the affore S d
town of Cardigan have Ben Sent to for taxes Very Large Time
& again and Not Being under any Capacity to Raise or Collect
the Same for Want of Propper authority in S (l town We Can-
not Call a Legal town meeting Nor Chuse a Legal officer (Es-
pecially Selectmen) But Notwithstanding our inability We have
presumed to Warn meeting sand Chuse town officers Finally
We have Presumed to tax the Inhabitants Persuant to the Pre-
cepts Receiv d in 1777 & 177S and Delivered the Rate Bills to
the Collectors and Taken their Receipts theirfor But all to No
purpose —
Ergo : Your Petitioners Humbly Pray That your Honours
ORANGE. 121
Would Take it into your Wise Consideration and Grant us an
incorporation that We might Be Enabled To answer the De-
mands of our Lejeslature —
Finally that We may Be Intitled to all the Previliges that the
other incorporated towns in this State are Intitled to —
all Which your Petitioners in Duty Bound Shall Ever Pray
Dated Cardigan Decem r y e 9 th 17S3
P : S : Would Pray your honours to incorporate the town by
the Name of Middleton —
John Parkhurst Joseph Basford David Ames Jun r
Jonathan Hoyt William Corliss Jonthan Bullock
David Ames Sayer Bullock Benjamin Brigs
Barnabas Cady Joseph gushe William Arwen
[In H. of Rep., Dec. 25, 1783, a hearing was ordered for
the next session. — Ed.]
[8-165] [Petition of Inhabitants for Relief in the matter of
Taxes: addressed to the General Assembly. ~\
Humbly Sheweth that the General assembly of S d State in
the Early Period of the Late Revolution did Lay a Heavy doom-
age on S d town of Cardigan as a Rule and foundation Whereon
to make the Several assessments (With the other towns in s d
State) for the Support of the Late War &c and accordingly
Have from time to time made their Several Levies and De-
mands on S d town Both for men and money in Support of the
Wars and other Charges of Government Which We have Never
Ben able to discharge according to the Demands of S d State For
the following Reasons (Viz) —
I* That the Inhabitants of Said town Being Not more than
twenty Families at any time (and Now but Sixteen) and under
Very Low Sircumstances Just Beginning to Settle in S d Town
at the Commincement of the Late Wars have Ben Put to Great
Shifts and hardships to Support ourselves and families and Not
able to Bear any Part of the Publick charge more than What We
have Necessarily Ben obliged to do —
2 nd And that We Never have Ben as vet Incorporated With
town Previleges and theirfore under No Capacity of Levying or
Collecting any tax in S d town and Consiquently have Not Ben
Rightly Represented in S d assembly Concerning the Premices
3 rd But Notwithstanding our inability have During the Late
War Ben at Very Considerable Cost and Expence in Scouting
and Turning out frequently on allarams on the Northern Fron-
tiers, all which We Expect to Bear —
122 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
4 th That Those few inhabitants Now Dwelling in S d town
are most of them But Lately moved into Said town and having
Paid up their Proportion of Taxes in the town to Which They
Formerly Belonged Think it a hardship to Pay the Same Tax
over again : and Likewise We the Inhabitants first setlers that
have Dwelt in S d town think ourSelves Burdned to pay the
whole Tax that is Demanded of S d town Since the Greater Part
of the first Setlers have Removed and Left the town — Where-
upon your Petitioners Humbly Pray your honours to take our
Cause mening only the inhabitants into your Wise Considera-
tion and Grant us Such Relief as our indigent Sircumstances
Justly Call for Which is the abatement of our Back taxes or
Such a part their of as you in your Wisdom and Compation
Shall Judge Just and Reasonable as your Petitioners in Duty
Bound Shall Ever pray —
John Parkhurst Levi hoyt Sayer Bullock
Jonathan Hoyt Nath 11 B'riggs Jn° W. Ames
David Eames Benjamin Briggs Barnebas Cady
Benjamin Sweat Stockman Sweat
Wm Arwen Joseph Gushe
[8-166] \_Petition of Inhabitants for Authority to Tax Non-
Residents: addressed to the General Assembly, 1785.]
Humbly Sheweth that We Labour under a Great Disadvant-
age on the counts of Rodes, the Towns being Vary Mountanus
and Rough and the Inhabitents Comeing in heare Very Poor
are not able to Rais there bread for there famileys to make them
Comforttable. we your humble Petitioners come in to Town
Expeting to have the Same previldg of other Towns the pro-
prietors promising to Settle the Town Number of them promist
to come and Settle in the town them Selves and come in and
Staid while they had Drawd in a few famileys and then with
Draw them Selves out of the Town and left their farms Disso-
late leaving bhind them about four Setlers To Shurk for them
Selves. Sence ther is a few more added to the Number, which
makes in the whole fifteen famileys. and them Onley to work
on the Rodes. and the bridges are So bad that It is Dangerous
for a Horse to pass over them, and for the want of other Nes- \
sary Rodes to Git to other Towns, have no publick travling |
Through the Town. The proprietors of s d Town Cut one Rode
through the town and cut it over the mountain where it is Not
Used by the Inhabitents of the Town Nor for publick Travling
We Your humble petitioners Desire your Honours would Es-
tablish Nine Shillings on Every Original Right in Said Town
to be laid out on the Rodes to make and Repare them for
ORANGE.
123
the present Year and then fore Sh
Town is able to make and Repare th
they have as many fammilvs in town
are first Incorperated for which we Y
Duty "Bound Shall Ever pray —
Jonathan Hoyt William Corliss
Barnabas Cady Thomas miner
David Ernes John Briant
David Ernes Jn r Joseph Briant
William Arwen Sayer Bullock
illing a Year untill Said
ere own Roades or untill
as other Town when they
"our Humble Petitioner in
Jonathen Bullock
William Sprage
Jabez B Barney
Benjamon Briggs
Joseph Gushe
[8—167] \_Petitlon of Inhabitants relative to a Magistrate:
addressed to the Governor and Council.^
We your Humble petioners * * * beg Leave to inform
your Honers that one mr John parkhust of s d Cardigen by his
one invention and with his one hand riting drew an instrement
to the reprsentitives to be Nomenated to your Honers for a Jus-
tes of the peas which is not sattisfactory to the Town there fore
your Humble Petioners pray that your Honers wold not apint
him to that offic as we think he w r old be more the disturber of
the peas than apeas maker and as we are few in number and
near to Esq r Airs who has alwais dun our bisnes we think it is
better fror us to re main for the present as we are and that in
sum futer day that we might have liberty to nominate sum sut-
able person to your honers and as in duty bound wold ever
pray
Enock Sweat
Beniaman Sweat
Enock Sweat Junr
David kinney
Josep Basford
Silas Harris
Nathan 11 Bridges
Joseph guse
Jabes Barney
David Ames
Barnabas Cadey
Jonathan Hoyt
William Sprage
Jonathan Sprage
William Curtis
William gilman
the number of voters are twenty three and no more
dated Cardigan febuary 17 th AD 1785
[8-16S] ^Petition of Inhabitants relative to raising- JMoney
to repair Roads: addressed to the General Court. J
We your Humble Pultionars * * * Do under Take To
in form your Honers the Dihcultys wee ly under in Suporting
the Rhods that Leeds Throw the Town the in Habetance have
124 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
moved out of the Town untill thare is But abought Ten fam-
leys left by which wee are Not able To Repair the Rhods So
that Peple Can Pase throw we your Humble Pultioners Hum-
blely Pray your Honers To take the mater in To ConsiderRa-
tion and grant That your Pultioners might Tax the Hole of the
Propriortors of S d Town to the Value of six Shillings on Each
Right in order to mend the Rhods Leding from Canan To m r
Jonathan Hoits and from Thair to grafton in which we your
Humble Pultionars Ever Pray
Cardigan June 16 th : 17S7
W m Arwen Jonathan Hoyt Jabez B Barney
Samuel Bagley Sayer Bulook Benjamin Briggs
W m Sprage Enock Swet Joseph Gushea
David Ames Jr Enock Swet Juner Levi Hoyt
[8-169] [Relative to selling Land for Taxes. .]
State of New Hamshire Grafton ss
to the Honered Sinnet and House of Representatives to be
Convean at pourtsmoth for the yr 17SS
I the Humbl petitioner Do Desre to in form youronours that
I have ben trieng to Sel the Land in Cardigan but I find that I
Cannot Sell So as to Setle with the Treasury at present for the
people will not Come to the adurment and there by the Land
Remains that hath not paid to the amount of 14SS ackers be-
sides Sevral others Small lots which I am in hpes to get the
taxes hoping that vou will tak it in your wise Considerashon
and Let me not be hurt for I have tryed my utermost to get the
taxes and I your Humble pietitioner in duty Bound Shall aver
pray
Jonath Hoyt Constable for Cardigan
Jabez B Barney Vendue Clark
[8-170] [Petition for Authority to raise Money to repair
Roads : addressed to the Senate and House of Represent-
atives, i788.~\
Seting forth the Difficulties we now lye under on the Ac-
count of Not Having Any Rode fit to travell through the Town
A great part of the people have Sold and Gone out of Town
and left A few people to do All the Labour on the Rodes and
the proprietors do Nothing to help us we your Humble peti-
ORANGE. 125
tioners Desire your Honours would Grant us the previlege of
Taxing the Town to the Value of two farthing upon an acre to
be laid out in cuting or clearing and mending the Rodes where
the Ihhabitents shall think it most Convenant for the Good of
the Inhabitents in Jeneral as we have Not any passing through
the town fiting for any persons to Ride through without being
in danger of Braking the Bones where upon if we had the
Rodes made Good it would be an advantage to the Town and
the Towns Ajoini ng and save Sum miles Travell for the Upper
Town to come through s d Cardigan as we your Humble peti-
tioners in duty Bound Shall Ever pray —
Cardigan January y e 2^. ad AD 1 7S8
W m Arwen Sayer Bullock
Jabez B Barney W m Sprague
Jonath Hoyt Nathanell Briggs
Levi Hoit Joseph Gushe
Samuel Bagley David Ames
Simeon Arwen Benjmin Briggs
Alexander Pigsley
[8-172] \_Petitlon to have the Town incorporated, 178Q : ad'
dressed to the Getieral Court. ,]
Humbly shews, that there never has been a Legall Grant of
Incorporation, made of said Town, either to the Proprietors,
or Inhabitants, thereof, altho it hath been considerably settled
for more than fourteen years and have been called upon &
taxed for State & County Taxes, as other Towns in said State,
whereby they suffer great inconvenience, in Assessing their
taxes & in doing their other business, necessary for the welfare
of said Town — Therefore pray your Honors to Grant them an
Incorporation of said Township, as by the lines and boundaries
contained in the Charter thereof; to be infranchised with all
Powers and Priviledges as Other Towns in this State have and
enjoy by the name of Orange (*) & your Memorialists as in duty
bound will ever pray.
Dated the 14 th day of October 17S9
Nathan Waldo W m Arwen
Cyrus Cleaveland David Ames
Nathan Waldo Jun r Nath 11 Briggs
Paul Knap Sayer Bullock
Nathan Fellows Elisha Payne
David Bullock Gideon Tiffany
Samuel Bagley
•Liscomb had been written in this place, and crossed out. — Ed.]
126 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[In answer, the town was incorporated, June 18, 1790,
by the name of Orange. — Ed.]
1
[8-173] [Petition for Authority to assess a Tax for repair-
ing Roads : addressed to the General Court, .]
Humbly sheweth, that the Inhabitants of said Town, suffered
great difficulties, & Inconveniences for want of good & conven-
ient Highways, through said Town & the Inhabitants being but
few in number, are unable to make & repair, the necessary
highways in said Town, without some assistance from the Un-
improved Lands ; we therefore pray your Honors, to Grant us
a tax of one half-penny, upon each acre of Unimproved Lands,
in said Town annually for the term of three years, for the pur-
pose of making & repairing Highways, in said Town & your
Petitioners as in duty bound shall ever pray signed by
Nathan Waldo ~\
Enoch Sweat > Selectmen
Sayer Bullock )
Orange January 8 th 1791.
[This petition was granted by an act passed Jan. 29,.
1 79 1. — Ed.]
ORFORD.
The township was granted, Sept. 25, 1 761, to Jonathan
Moulton, Jr., and others. The conditions of the grant not
being fulfilled, the proprietors made an application to the
governor for an extension of the time, which was granted
Feb. 8, 1772, giving them a further time of three years.
Among the first settlers were Daniel Cross, Gen. Israel
Morey, and John Mann, about 1765. They came from
Connecticut.
The Orford Social Library was incorporated June 16,
1797.
By an act approved June 28, 1837, the farm of John Da-
na, Jr., was severed from Orford and annexed to Wentworth.
Orford was one of the towns which united with Vermont in
1778, and several conventions of delegates from towns east
of Connecticut river were held there.
Rev. Grant Powers states that John Mann and wife came
ORFORD. 127
from Hebron, Conn., on one horse, and arrived in Orford
Oct. 24, 1765, and that Daniel Cross and wife came from
Lebanon, Conn., the June previous.
f From Gen. yonathan Chase's Papers, p. SO.~\
At a Convention of Committees from sundry Towns on the
Grants east of Connecticut River, held by adjournment at the
House of Israel Morey, Esq r in Orford June 24 th 1773 — Voted
and Resolved that it be and hereby is recommended* to the In-
habitants of the Towns on the Grants east of Connecticut River
who have lately united with the State of Vermont strictly to
comply with and obey those orders which may come to them
from Authority of the State of Vermont, or by desire of any
General or Field officer on the Continental establishment or
commanding officer on this River through the hands of those
Military Officers who were latest commissioned over them by
the State of New Hampshire.
Voted and Resolved that the Towns east of Connecticut Riv-
er who have united with the State of Vermont be notified that
the General Assembly of said State have passed an act empow-
ering each of the respective Towns in said State to convene on
tuesday the seventh day of July next and chuse a justice of the
peace in their Town (if they Judge proper) to continue in
office untill the next Sessions of the General Assembly, and
and that we recommend that the Select Men of the Towns east
of said River which have united as aforesaid call meetings in
their respective Towns for said purpose on the day above men-
tioned ; and that they be advised to make return of said ap-
pointment to his Excellency Tho s Chittenden Esq 1 " Gov r of said
State agreeable to the Tenor of said Act.
Voted and Resolved that it be recommended to the Towns
east of Connecticut River who have united with the State
of Vermont that at a suitable time and place they agree in
Town meeting on some proper method whereby the Inhabi-
tants of their respective Towns may be entitled to the privi-
leges of Freemen of said State agreeable to the sixth section
in the Constitution, for which purpose we recommend that
they appoint and empower some person or persons to admin-
ister the oath therein mentioned.
Voted and Resolved that John Wheatley Esq r M r Abner
Chandler and Cap* John Young be a Committee to receive &
adjust accounts of claims for services done in preparing and
completing the Union with the State of Vermont.
N. B. The Accounts as adjusted by the Committee amount-
ed to J£66, 2 — of which £8 — was apportioned for Cornish —
128 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
JC6, of which to be paid to Sam 1 Chase Esq r and £2. — to Be-
za : Woodward Treasurer —
Whereas this convention at their meeting held at this place
last January 2$ did recommend that the Towns raise the taxes
called for by the Assembly of New Hampshire & pay them
into their treasuries to be disposed of under the direction of the
Town.
Voted and Resolved to recommend that having collected
their proportion of the forty thousand pounds called for by the
Assembly of New Hampshire and the sixty thousand pounds
called for by the hon ble Continental Congress, the Towns re-
tain these sums in their respective treasuries untill some meas-
ures may be agreed on whereby the Towns east of Connecti-
cut River who unite with the State of Vermont may disburse
them in an uniform manner.
Voted and Resolved to transmit to the President of the Coun-
cil of the State of New Hampshire a Copy of the Resolves of
the Assembly of Vermont relative to receiving the Towns on
the Grants east of Connecticut River into Union with them
[see Vol. X, p. 277] ; together with the following Letter signed
by the Chairman (Viz)
Orford June 25 th 1778.
Honored Sir —
The Convention of Committees from the several Towns
mentioned in the inclosed copies take this opportunity to trans-
mit to you as President of the Council of the State of New i
Hampshire a Resolve of the Assembly of the State of Ver-
mont relative to a Union of said Towns &c with them, by .1
which you will be availed of the political situation of these
united Towns and others on the Grants who may comply with
said Resolve — I
We hope notwithstanding an entire separation has now taken
place between your State and these Towns that an amicable }
settlement may be come into at a proper time between the State |
of New Hampshire and those Towns on the Grants that unite
with the State of Vermont relative to all civil and military
affairs transacted in connection with the State of New-Hamp-
shire since the commencement of the war to the time of said
Union so that amity & friendship may subsist & continue be-
tween the two States —
I am Sir in behalf of said Convention with respect —
Your most Obedient humble Servant
Nehemiah Estabrook Chair 11
Hon ble M. Weare Esq r President of the
Council of New Hampshire
ORFORD. 129
Voted that this Meeting be and is hereby dissolved
Extract from the minutes
Attest Beza Woodward, Clerk
[8-176] \_Petition for Authority to raise Money to support
a Minister: addressed to the General Assembly. ~\
Humbly Sheweth that a very great Proportion of the Lands
in said Town of Orford is own'd by nonresident Proprietors,
and are wild & uncultivated and of Consequence, not liable to
be Tax'd by said Inhabitants, for any purpose whatever and
that your Petitioners, notwithstanding they are few in Number,
(not exceeding twenty five families) with a vew to promote, as
well their Temporal as their Spiritual Interest, have proceeded
to Call & ordain a minister of the Gospel in Said Town at their
own Expence without the least assistance of any of the nonres-
ident proprietors of said Orford, — that your Petitioners are
poorly able to fulfill their reasonable Ingagements in the Settle-
ment & Support of their said minister, and to build a Comforta-
ble House for Divine Service and that by the Settlement of a
minister and building-Such House the Value of the unimprov'd
as well as improv'd Land in Said Orford is and will be much
increas'd.
Whereupon Your Petitioners, most humbly pray Your Ex-
cellency and Honours to Enact and order that a Tax of two
pence lawfull money be Assess'd on Each and every Acre of
Land in said orford, as well improv'd as unimprov'd Land,
(the publick Rights excepted) Annually for the next four Years
and that Your Petitioners be Im powered to levy and Collect
the Same of the owners of Said Land, to be, by your Petition-
ers Expended Solely for the payment of their Said minister's
Settlement and Salary as they Shall become Due, and for build-
ing a House for Divine Service in Said Orford, or in Some
Other way Grant Releif to Your Petitioners, as in Your Great
Wisdom You Shall think Just & Reasonable, and they as in
Duty bound Shall ever pray
Portsmouth io ,h of December 1771 .
Alex r Phelps ) A
Israel Morey j A S ents
[8-1783 [Proposal of the Proprietors relative to Minister's
Salary, 1773^
Whereas there has been a Petition preferred by the Inhab-
itants of Orford, to the General Court of this Province, praying
that a Tax of two pence per Acre, may be laid on Each Res-
11
I3O EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
ident & non Resident proprietor's Right or share of Land in
said Town, for four years to Come, to Raise money for the
Support of the ministry in said Town, and building a house for
Publick Worship, — And as it appears to the Proprietors to be
a Larger sum than they think will be Necessary and Reasonable 1
they should be Subjected to, but being willing to Give all due
Encouragement for the Support of the Ministry, and building a
a Meeting house, as far as their present Circumstances Re-
quire, — Therefore Voted That in Case no tax shall be Granted
in Consequence of said Petition, That the Proprietors will pay
three Quarter parts of the first and second year's Sallary for the I
Support of the minister of said Town, and one half of said min-
ister's third and fourth year's Sallary, — or in Case there should 1
be no settled minister there, then for hiring of Preaching — Also J
one half of the Sum that the Inhabitants of said Town agreed
to Give the Rev d m r Noble their present minister for his Settle-
ment. Also Ten pounds towards the Expence the Inhabitants
were at in Ordaining said m r Noble. —
Also one half of m r Noble's demand for preaching before he
was Ordained. —
Also That there be built in said town a proper frame for a
house of Publick Worship there of the following dimentions,
Viz* Fifty feet Long, Forty feet wide, with posts of a Suitable
heighth for one Tier of Gallary's, and to Board, Shingle, Clab-
board, Glaize, and Lay the Lower floor thereof at the Expence
of said Proprietors. —
The above is a true Copy of a Vote of the Proprietors of Or-
ford, which pass'd at their meeting, held at Hampton, by Ad-
journment the 11 th day of January 1773. —
Attest per John Moulton Prop r Clerk
[8-175] [Proprietors' Expenditures.^
For Cutting & Clearing Roads (in 1766)
Bounty for building a Grist Mill & Saw Mill
Bounty for 6 Settlers
Paid Dan 1 Tillotson Esq r for Highway Work
Paid Israel Morey Esq r for d° & cutting &
Clearing Roads, hiring of preaching &c
Paid Dan 1 Tillotson d°
Paid Eben r Baldwin —
Paid Israel Morey Esq r d°
Paid Thomas Sawyer
Paid Israel Morey Esq r Ditto —
Lawf. My —
£5.
—
60.
7-
10.
3-
138.
19. 6
10.
2.
3-
6.
10.
6.
18.
67.
13- 9
e 3 i2.
18. 3
ORFORD. 131
I
The Above Sum has been paid to the Inhabitants of Orford,
in the Manner, & for the Purpose as above —
Attest Jon a Moulton Prop rs Treas r
[8-177] \_Petition of William Simpson for a Ferry : ad-
dressed to the Governor and Council.']
Humbly Shews —
That your Petitioner has been at great Expence in transport-
ing himself & family into the Interior parts of the Province and
humbly Prays to be Encouraged by Your Excellency and Hon-
ors in his Endeavours to promote the Benefit and Interest of
the Settlements in those parts, in particular where he now
Lives And as Your Petitioner humbly conceives a Publick
Ferry with a proper Boat to transport the Inhabitants of Orford
'and others travelling over Connecticutt River to the Town on
the West Side of said River would be of Publick Utility he
humbly prays Your Excellency & Honors to grant him the
Priveledge of keeping & Supporting a ferry with proper Boat
or Boats, with Such further Limitations as Your Excellency
and Honors shall think proper to be used in any the most con-
venient Place within One mile and an half on Each Side of the
Town Landing in Orford aforesaid, And Your petitioner
assures Your Excellency & Honors he shall Strive to give the
greatest Dispatch and Satisfaction to the Passengers, and as in
Duty Bound Shall ever pray
July 2 th 1773 William Simpson
[Granted March 3, 1775. — Ed.]
[8-179] \_Procecdi?igs of a Proprietors' Meeting, 17.73. ~\
Whereas the Prop" at their last Meeting held the 11 th Day of
January Ins' by Adjournment "Voted to have a Meeting House
built in Orford for publick Worship at their Expence," as will
appear by said Vote — & it being Suggested by some of the Prop r *
that they apprehended the aforesaid Vote did not clearly deter-
mine to whom the Property of said Meeting-House shou'd be-
long, 'tis therefore considered at this Meeting, & to prevent any
Dispute that might have arose on that Account. Now, —
Voted, That it was the Intent, & Meaning of said Proprietors
that as they, at their own Expence, propos'd to build said Meet-
ing-House the Property of the same shou'd remain in the same —
The Prop 1-9 at this Meeting taking under further Considera-
tion the Vote which pass'd at their last Meeting, as beforemen
132 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
1
tion'd, & being still willing to give all necessary Encourage-
ment for the Support of the Ministry, & building a Meeting
House, in said Town, as far as they think their present Abili-
ties, therefor, will admit they thereupon further
Voted, On the Conditions hereafter mention'd, & them only,
That if the House of publick Worship be built in said Town,
agreeable to the aforementioned Vote — The Inhabitants of said
Orford shall have, & own one half of said House & shall also
have one half of the Benefit & Advantage of selling the Privil-
edge for Pews, in said Meeting House, — Or if it shall be most jj
agreable to the Inhabitants of said Orford — The Prop" will give
& grant unto them, Sixty Pounds Lawf 1 M y towards assisting
them, in building such a House for publick Worship there, as
they may agree, & determine on among themselves — & the Prop 3
to quit their Claim in, & unto Said Meeting House — on the
Condition, That the Agents for the Inhabitants of Orford do
not any further prosecute any Means, or Measures for forward-
ing the Petition which they have preferred to the General Court
as beforemention'd, Nor any Tax whatever, be granted by the
General Court in Consequence of that Petition, or any other
they may prefer for that Purpose — but that they, the said
Agents, accept the Votes of the Prop rs instead thereof —
The foregoing is a true Copy of a Vote of the Prop 1-8 of Or-
ford which pass'd at their Meeting held by Adjournment at
Hampton the 15 th Day of Jan y 1773 —
Attest — John Moulton Prop r Clerk
At this Meeting Jonathan Moulton Esq r declared that whereas
he was Owner of a considerable Part of Propriety Interest in
the Township of Orford, & that from his Youth upwards he
was educated in, & always join'd in the Congregational Method
of Church Government, & Worship — & that notwithstanding
the present Minister of Orford, is of a different Denomination
from his, & settled on a different Plan — Yet he had Voted |
towards his Support, & building a Meeting House in said Town,
which was with the View only, of the Prop rs & Inhabitants
uniting therein according the Votes pass'd at this, & the last I
Meeting — But in Case the Inhabitants or their Agents shou'd
not accept the Prop rs Proposals & Offers to them but continue \
to apply to the General Court, & obtain any Tax therefor — he
shall hold himself to be entirely free from paying any Thing
towards the Support of said Minister, or building a House for
the Maintaining a Mode of Worship &c a different from his
Practice & Profession ; & desired that the same might be en-
tered accordingly — i
Attest. John Moulton Prop 8 Clerk
OKFORD. 133
[8-l8l]
An inventory of the Poles, stock, improved and unimproved
Lands in the Town of Orford taken in y e year 1779
Number of Poles 47 Number of horses 27
Number of oxen 44 Number of cows 76
Number of 3 y r olds 14 N° of 2 y r olds 38
N° of one y r olds 42 N° acres of improved Lands 708
Value of unimproved Land £4683 at ^ per cent £23-8-3.
Attest Ebenezer Baldwin ] Select
Sam 1 Phelps j Men
[R. 3-90] [Soldier's Receipt, 17?8.~\
Rec ,d of Maj r Jon 11 Child by the hand of Col. Israel Morey
twelve Pounds four Shillings it being Wages & Rations, for
my service in the army at Saratoga in Col. J. Chases Regi-
ment
Obadiah Noble
Orford Jan^ 31 st 177S—
[R. 3-91] [Soldiers' Receipt. ~\
Received From The Selectmen of the Thown of Orford a full
Satisfaction as a bounty for There Quota of Soldiers in the
Newhampshire Service under our Seperate Commanders to wit
Col Moses Hazen and L* Col Reed
Orford March 3 d 1S82
Josiah Pratt - Jonathan Pratt Thomas Haseltine
Ezra Gates J onn Lapish Mical Salter
test Edward Clark
Paul Adams
[R. 3-92] [John Lapish' s Discharge, 1783. ,]
By His Excellency George Washington Esq 1 " General and
Commander in Chief of the forces of the united States of Amer-
ica these are to Certify that the Bearer hereof John Lapish Sol-
dier in the New-Hampshire Regiment having faithfully served
the united States Eight years & being inlisted for the war only
is hereby Discharged from the American army. Given at
head Quarters the 7 th June 17S3.
G. Washington
By His Excellency's Command •
J Trumbull Jun Sye
Registered in the Books of the Regiment
J Boynton Adjutant
134 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
The above John Lapish has been honored with the badge of
merit for six years faithfull Service 7 th June 17S3
Geo Reid U Col Comd 1 .
a true copy attest
Charles Johnston Jus 1 Peace.
[Similar copies of discharges were furnished by the follow-
ing named men :
Jona. Pratt, Fifer, Moses Hazzen's Reg't, 4 years' service.
Corp 1 Thos. Haseltine, Hazzen's Reg't, 4 years' service.
Ezra Gates, Hazzen's Reg't, 4 years' service.
Michael Salter, Hazzen's Reg't, 4 years' service.
All of whom were " honored with a badge of merit for four
years' faithful service." Their discharges are signed by
Benjamin Moores, Adjutant, and are dated respectively
June 13, 17, 30, & 30, 1783.— Ed.]
[8-1 S3] [Petition of William Simpson and Ebcnczer
Green : addressed to the General Court. ,]
Humbly Sheweth the Subscribers In behalf of the Inhabi-
tants of the Towns of Orford and Lyme, that the Inhabitants
[8-182] \_Petition of John Mann: addressed to the Council
and House of Representatives .~\
Humbly sheweth
that since the Commincment of the Revolution an Inventory of
the Pols and Ratable Estate in said Orford has not been Re- J
turned, agreeable to the law of said State in such Case made I
and Provided that by Means thereof your petitioners have been
subjected to a Doomage which they Humbly conceive in Every
Instance considerably surmounts their Just proportion of the |
Public Tax ; Notwithstanding which your Petitioners have Ex- j
erted themselves so far as to pay into the Treasury of this State \
a Considerable part of the same, and are still willing and Am-
bitious to Contribute their full proportion in Defence of the
Common Cause —
But think it their Duty herein to address the Lejuslature of
this State and are happy in the confidence they Entertain that \
all Reasonable abatment will bee made in the several amounts
of Taxes they have been cal d upon for since the Revolution
aforesaid — and your Petitioners as in Duty bound shall Ever
pray
Dec r 1" 17S3 John Mann for said
Petitioners
ORFORD. 135
aforesaid have at their Expence Supplied provisions, pack
horses, and forrage for the Support of the different Militia in
the defence of the frontiers, also have been at great expence in
hiring & supporting Men for Scouting, reconnoitering and
guarding, for the defence aforesaid, exclusive of their comply-
ing with the requisitions of the General Court of this State —
*******
Wherefore your petitioners pray your Honors will order an
enquiry into their Case, & grant them such allowance as shall
appear Just & Reasonable, and in duty bound will ever Drav
Portsmouth Feb 7 14, 1786
William Simpson — for Orford
Eben r Green for Lvme
—
[8-184] [Petition of Inhabitants of Orford: addressed to
the General Court. ~\ I
Humbly sheweth
That in September 1776 a Precept was issued by your Hon-
ors to the legal Inhabitants paying'Taxes in the Townships of
Lime, Orford Piermont Warren Wentworth & Dorchester, for
the Purpose of electing one Person to represent them in Gen-
eral Assembly : also to vote for a Person in the County afore-
said as a Member of Council — That your Petitioners were then
desirous of complying therewith, but that the strenuous Oppo-
sitions of the Towns with which they connected, unhappily
prevented it. —
That agreeable to the Precept issued September 1777, the In-
habitants met ; & voted not to comply with said Precept — That
your Petitioners were then also for Complvance, but being over-
powered by the adjacent Towns in Numbers, are deprived of
that inestimable Privilege Representation
That the present Opposition fomented & subsisting in the
District make it impossible for us to be represented in General
Court.
That notwithstanding your Petitioners are labouring under
Grievances repugnant to their inherent Rights & Privileges,
they have ever been willing to contribute their just Proportion,
in Support of the present unhappy War.
Your Petitioners therefore humbly pray your Honors to take
the Matter into Consideration, & point out some Way, whereby
they may be represented in General Assembly. And your Pe-
titioners shall ever pray —
At a legal Meeting of the Inhabitants of the Town of Orford
on December 16 th 1777, warned for the following Purpose,
(viz) to see if the Town will agree to prefer a Petition to the
I36 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Gen 1 Assembly of this State, praying their Honors to point out
some Way, in which they may be represented — at the same
Meeting Voted, Nem. Con. that the Hon ble Israel Morey Esq r
be an Agent to prefer the above Petition to y e General Assem-
bly — Sign'd per Order
Davenport Phelps, Moderator.
Attest. Nath el Rogers Town Clerk
[8-187] [Relative to suppressing Thistles, i/QS'l •
At a legal Meeting of the Inhabitants of the Town of Orfovd
held on Monday the iS day of May 1795 — Voted that the Select
men be & they are hereby directed to present a petition to the
General Assembly of the State of N. Hampshire at their Ses-
sion to be held at Hanover on the first Wednesday of June 1795
praying their honors to adopt some measures to prevent the
growing of thistles in this State
A True Coppy of Record, Attest Jared Mann Town Clerk
To the Honorable General Court of the State of New Hamp-
shire convened at Hanover on the first Wednesday of June 1795
the Petition of the Town of Orford humbly Showeth, That a
certain weed called Thistles are very destructive to this part of
the State, and do increase very rapidly by Standing till their
Seed is ripe when the Seed is carried by the wind to a great
distance ; by which means they are like to over run the whole
Country ; when the cuting of them, close to the ground in proper
Season would effectually prevent their geting ripe & Spreading
in the manner afibresaid : & the old root whose top is so cut
off, dies ; by which means the whole might be totally destroyed
out of our Country in a few Years, were it a law to Oblige
every person to cut them as afibresaid — therefore we pray your
honors to take the matter into consideration and adopt Such
measures as your honors in your wisdom shall se fit, and your
petitioners as in duty bound shall ever pray
Theod Dame ) Select men of
John Mann J r j Orford
[8— iSS] [Petition for Incorporation of an Academy, 179J ' :
addressed to the Gc?ieral Court. J
Respectfully Sheweth the Subscribers, that at a Considerable
Expencc of Individuals, an Elegant house is completed within
the Town of Orford, for to Encourage the Educating youth,
ORFORD. 137
In the Several branches of Literature, and an Instructor Em-
ployed for that purpose ; for the carrying" into execution and
fully completing their laudable design and Intention, they are
of opinion, that the aid of the legislature is necessary and will
be readily granted, by Indulging the proprietors of the Said
House with an Act of Incorporation, to be known by the Name
of the proprietors of Orford public School, with Similar priv-
iledges Regulations and Restrictions, as have heretofore been
granted to others by former Legislatures, in this State,
And as in duty will pray
Joseph Pratt
W m Simpson
John Mann
Orford June i* 1797
[In H. of Rep., June 10, 1797, " Voted that the prayer of
the petition be granted, and that the petitioners have leave
to bring in a bill accordingly." Senate non-concurred. — Ed.]
[1— 189] \_Petitlon of fohn Mann, "Jr., relative to the
School: addressed to the General Court. ~\ * .-
Humbly show T eth — That at the session of the General Court
in June last past, Messrs Joseph Pratt, William Simpson, and
John Mann Esquires presented a petition to the Hon ble General
Court, praying for themselves and others, an Act of Incorpora-
tion for a Public School in Orford, the Prayer of which Petition
was heard and granted by the Hon ble House of Representatives ;
Yet for some reasons which to them appeared Sufficient, the
Hon ble Senate did not concur with the same — Your Memorial-
ist therefore prays this Hon l,IC Court to take into their wise con-
sideration the Substance of said Petition ; as he flatters himself
he shall be fully able to satisfy the Hon ble Senate respecting the
doubts that were formerly in their Minds — and your memorial-
ist as in duty bound will ever pray —
John Mann Jr — in behalf of the Petitioners
Portsmouth 24 th Nov 1797
[Leave was granted to bring in a bill, Nov. 28, 1797.
Ed.]
[8-191] [^Petition for incorporation of the Academy : ad-
dressed to the General Court.~\
Most respectfully represents, the subscribers, in behalf of
themselves and others, that, they have for the promoting and
OSSIPEE
I38 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
encouraging Literature, within the town of Orford in the County
of Grafton ; at very considerable expence erected and completed
buildings, for that purpose and have expended considerable
sums annually, in hiring teachers, for the purpose aforesaid,
which .laudable design or institution, of their's cannot, thor-
oughly, be prosecuted, without the aid of the legislature. I
Wherefore, they pray that the honorable Legislature will take 1
the same under their consideration and grant them a charter of
incorporation, under like restrictions and reservations, as have
been heretofore given and granted, to Academies and public
Schools within this state. For want of such incorporation, the
design of your petitioners, is at this juncture, much retarded;
as they cannot without it put the school under such necessary-
regulations as to make the same upon a respectable footing,
with other institutions; neither can they have the privilege of
sundry donations, which will be readily made if the act of incor-
poration can be indulged them. —
They beg leave further, to request your Honors, that, upon
perusing the article, in the Constitution of this state, granting
the power of encouraging Literature, to the honorable Legisla-
ture, they were the more encouraged to proceed and advance
money for the purposes aforesaid. And being very sensible
that former Legislatures have readily granted their aid in such
respects, to many towns in this state, they cannot harbour the
least idea, that their petition will be denied them. Therefore,
relying on the indulgence and attention, of the honorable Legis-
lature to their request, they most respectfully submit the same,
not doubting, but, with strict and firm belief in the fullest expec-
tation, that the same will be granted. —
Dated at Orford this 3 rd day of June 1799.
John Mann William Butman Bethuel Cross
Sam 11 Morey Jon* Sawyer Icherbod Sawyer
Simon B. Bissell Alexander Storey
John Mann J r George Ropes
Committee or Trustees for the Proprietors.
[In H. of Rep., June 14, 1799, leave was granted to "bring
in a bill." The senate laid it over until the next session,
and then non-concurred. — Ed.]
The town was incorporated Feb. 22, 1785, previous to
which the territory went by the name of Ossipee Gore. A
OSSIPEE. 139
portion of said territory, which was not included in the in-
corporation, continued to be called Ossipee Gore until it
was annexed to Effingham Dec. 23, 1820.
The name is derived from a tribe of Indians who once
resided in the vicinity of the lake, relics of whom have often
been found since its occupancy by white men.
By an act approved Jan. 13, 1837, the farm of Wentworth
Lord, together with some other territory, was severed from
Ossipee and annexed to Tamworth. A portion of the same
land was severed from Tamworth and re-annexed .to Ossipee
June 22, 1859.
[8— 192J \_Petition for an Act of Incorporation: addressed
to the General Asse?nbly.~\
The Petition of the Subscribers Inhabitants of a Place called
Ossipee Gore — Humbly sheweth that your Petitioners labour
under many Inconveniencies for want of an Incorporation,
wherefore they pray that the said Ossipee Gore bounded as fol-
lows, Begining at the southerly corner of said Gore and riming
bounding on Wolfborough to the North Corner thereof, thence
by Tuftinborough to the north corner thereof, thence on a
Straight line northerly about two Miles to the westerly corner
of Lot Number One hundred and Eleven in said Gore, thence
North east until it crosses Bear camp River on the Northwest
line of Lot Number one hundred and Seventeen, thence turning
and riming on the line of said lot: number one hundred and
seventeen and lot number one hundred and one easterly straight
until it strikes six mile River, thence by said River to Ossipee
Pond, thence southerly and easterly by said Pond and the out-
let thereof to Leavits town northwest line, thence southerly by
said line to the westerly corner of said Town of Leavits town,
thence easterly on the southwest line of said Town to the South
east Corner of said Gore, thence Southerly on Wakefield line
to the bound begun at, may be incorporated into a Town by
the name of Ossipee and that the Inhabitants thereof and their
Successors may be invested with all the priviledges & Immuni-
ties Similar to other Towns within this State. —
Your Petitioners also beg leave humbly to show that their
Settlements where chiefly began & have been prosecuted during
the late war, the Inhabitants being most of them in low circum-
stances and subject to all the Inconveniencies and hardships in-
cident to the begining settlements in a new & uncultivated
Country under such a situation, as also having their unimproved
Lands much of which being mountains, Heaths & Ponds, taxed
at an equal Rate with Lands in other places of much superior
140 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[8-193]
To the pay Master of Cap' Jacob Smith Company in Col
Rolnolds Reg' in the year 17S1
Sir plese to pay Daniel Cook or his order all that is Due to
me from the State of Nevvhampshir I having been a wSoldier in
the aforesaid Company and for Value Rec d Witness my Hand
Eliphalet Sias
osseppee gore Jenury 20 th 1785
Feb 19 17S5 6. S. 8.
[8—194] \_Petition for Abate?nent of Taxes: addressed to
the General Assembly, iy88.~\
Humbly shew that in the year 17S3 they were called upon to
pay into the Treasurey of said State .£74.19.11. and in the year
17S4 for JC2S.6.8. both which Sums to be paid in Gold or Sil-
ver, or Certificates for Interest on the publick Securities of this
State, or Orders drawn on the Treasurey At which Times the
Inhabitants of said Ossipee were under no Incorporation as a
Town, neither had any Town Officers wherebv said Sums
coul'd be legally assessed, that the same yet remains unpaid &
the Town threatned with an Extent — Although said Sums ap-
pear small & the Delay long ; yet your Petitioners humbly con-
I
Quality, yet they have struggled through the expences of find-
ing their Quota of Men in the Army & their Beef Tax but were
totally unable to discharge their State Tax for the years 1782
& 17S3 which yet remains unpaid & your petitioners humbly
conceive that they are wholly unable to pay said arrearages & \
carry on their Settlements, & pay the present & succeeding
Taxes, wherefore your Petitioners humbly pray your Hon ble
Court to take their Circumstances into consideration & abate
them their Arrearages for the years aforesaid, trusting in future
under the Advantages of an Incorporation & their increasing
strength they shall be able to pay their full Quotas of all Taxes. —
And your Petitioners shall ever pray. —
Ossipee Gore October 20 th 17S4
Jacob Brown Joseph Ames Samuel
Josiah Poland Noah dow Jacob Williams
Winthrop Smith Ebeneser hall John Scagel
Andrew Folsom Nathaiel Brown Richard
John Sanderson Joseph Pitman Cornelius Densmoor
John Cooley Jabez garland
[The town was incorporated Feb. 22, 1785. — Ed.]
OSSIPEE. 141
ceive that there is such a Disability on the part of the Inhab-
itants to pay their parts of said Requisitions as (if known)
wou'd induce your Hon ble Court to grant Relief.
It is a fact well known that a very considerable part of the
present" Inhabitants of said Ossipee were poor People put on as
Settlers by the Proprietors. —
That said Settlers were not only men unacquainted with the
new Country in General, but men of small Abilities, unable to
procure even a bare Subsistence for themselves & Families,
without the Assistance of a few Industrous Inhabitants in
Town ; — that those few have not only been obliged to relieve
the common Necessities of the Rest, but also to be accountable
for their Taxes ; — for should a Distraint for Taxes take place
upon these poorer People beforementioned, who have at most
but one Cow each : such a Destraint wou'd render a considera-
ble number a public Burden to the Town, & woud in time
deprive those who are now able, of the means of paying Taxes
in future — Wherefore your petitioners humbly pray that your
Hon bIe Court would abate such part of said Sum as belongs to
the Inhabitants to pay being one half the whole of said Sums;
or otherwise grant your Petitioners Relief by Delay of Payment
as to your Hon ble Court shall seem meet — and your Petitioners
shall ever pray. —
Ossipee May 26. 1788
Joseph Fogg ") Selectmen
Winthrop Smart > of
Andrew Folsom ) Ossipee
[8-195] [Petition for Authority to raise a Special Tax:
addressed to the General Court, .]
Humbly sheweth that wharas the grater part of the land in s d
town is owned by Gentlemen living out of town and but few
inhabitants & the roads so extensive puts it beyond the powar
of the inhabitants to support them — the Main road through the
Town is Eighteen miles in length and interpersed by many
rapid streams & a large propition of healthy Lands which re-
quiars large & costly causeways and but sixteen families living
on s d road besides many crossroads allready laid out and others
nessessary to bee laid out & dun to acomidate the setlers of s d
Town & publick.
Tharefore your petitioners Humbly Pray Your Hon™ would
take under consideration the bad situation of s d Town and grant
that a tax of a penny P r acor be laid on all nonresident lands
in s d Town for the tarm of two yeas for the purpos of making
142 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
& repairing s d roads — or grant such relief as you in your wis-
dom shall think proper.
And your petitioners as in duty Bound shall ever pray —
Ossipee May 28 th 1791 —
Levi Dearborn ) Select
John Adams ) Men
[Granted Dec. 21, 1791.]
[8-1 97 J \_Petition of yolm Costclloe of Effingham, relative
to a Discovery of Iro7i Ore: addressed to the General
Court yan. 7, iygo.~\
Humbly Sheweth—
That your Petitioner has discovered in Ossipee pond & ad-
joining a large Quantity of Iron Ore — that at a considerable
expence he has erected a Forge or Iron Works, for the trial of
said Ore — which upon trial affords Iron equal in Quality, (in
the opinion of good judges) to that imported from Philadel-
phia.
And as a Furnace in that part of the State for Refining &
casting would be of public utility, & save money in the State —
he most humbly prays your Honors for some encouragement to
enable him to erect a Furnace — by a Grant for that purpose —
or by loaning him a sum of money, upon good Security to be
refunded in a certain number of years without interest — or oth-
erways encourage your Petitioner as to your great wisdom may
seem politic & advisable, & he as in duty bound will ever
pray—
John Costelloe
PELH AM.
The township was incorporated July 5, 1746, and com-
prised portions of the old Dunstable grant and Dracut.
The bounds given in the charter are as follows :
" Beginning at the Boundary Pitch Pine Tree made by
M r Mitchell and runing on the North Boundary Line of the
Massachusetts untill it comes within two miles & eighty
rods of Merrimack river Then North Twenty Degrees East,
to Londonderry then by Londonderry East South East five
miles & one hundred & forty rods then South to Methuen
Line and to meet the Curve Line called Mitchells Line then
by s d Curved Line to the Pitch Pine Tree where it began.""
r
PELHAM. 143
The name was given in honor of the Duke of New Cas-
tle, Thomas Pelham Holies. Settlements were made about
the year 1722 by John Butler and Wm. Richardson, the lat-
ter a native of Chelmsford, Mass.
The following Pelham men were in the 1st N. H. Reg't
in the war of the Revolution :
Sergeant Daniel Gage, entered December 29, 1779, dis-
charged December, 1781.
John Greeley, entered March 9, 1781, discharged Decem-
ber, 178 1.
John Lovering, entered April, 1781, discharged Decem-
ber, 1 78 1.
The latter served also in 1782.
In answer to a petition from 53 of the inhabitants, the
town was divided into two parishes, for church purposes,
January 4, 1787, but the act was repealed in 1792, on the
dismission of the Rev. Amos Moody, and the town again
united as one parish.
Pelham was severed from the county of Rockingham, and
annexed to the county of Hillsborough, by an act approved
December 10, 1824.
[8-198] [Petition of Inhabitants of Pelham and Sale?n for
a Grant of Land : addressed to the Governor and Coun-
cil.]
Sheweth —
That your Petitioners Are Inclined to venture into the woods
And make Setlements of a town, that for themselves & family s,
they are not Accomodated in the towns Where they Dwell,
that the Land there is so mean and Broaken Cannot for their
Own Nor the Goverments Advantage Enlarge their Improve-
ments —
That their is in this Province Great Quantitys of his Majes-
ty s Lands Unappropriated, & Lyes Wast and till Improved will
be Useless, Capable of Improvement and Enlarging — the
Strength of the frontiers, Where Your Petitioners would will-
ingly venture, And make Setlement under the Like Conditions
as other his Majestys Subjects Receive Grants —
Wherefore Your Petitioners Humbly pray that they may
Have a Grant of Land of the Contents of Six miles Square in
Some Convenient place Capable of making a good Setlement,
Within his Majestys Lands afores d under Such Conditions &
Limitations As Your Excellency Grants to Others and that
Tho 8 Packer Esq may be Admitted On Our Behalf to prefer
144
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
this Our Petition and On Our Behalf do everything Necessary
for the Claming the Same and Assertaining the place where the
Same may Lye. And Your Petitioners as in duty bound Shall
pray.
July 16: 1750 —
Pelham
William Richardson Amos Richardson
Joseph Hamblet
John forgison
Thomas wyman
Josiah Gage
Simon Beard
amos Gage
David Jones
Ebnz Ay res
Seth Pattee
Abner Bayly
Peter merril
Henry sanders
John Merrell
Alexander Gorden
Jonathan Corlies
Zeachriah Colburn
Daniel Gage
William Elliot
Nehemiah Jaques
Jabesh Gage
John Baldwin
Ebeneser Jaques
Salem
Nath 11 Dow
Richard Kimball
John Hall J r
Richard Pa tee
Daniel Dow
Oliver Kimball
John Lowell
W ra Kelly
Josiah Hamblet
Jonathan Kimball
daniel Colburn
Thomas Gage
Rice Molten
henery Richardson
William Richardson
Juner
Richard Dow
Ralph Hall
John Bayly
Edw d Bayly
Sam 11 Parker
W m Sanders
Tim 7 Swan
John Ober
[R. 3—100] [Petition of Phebe Gage: addressed to the Gen-
eral Court, J758.~]
The Petition of Pheabe Gage Reilick Widow To V Thomas
Gage who Deceas d in the said province Service at Lake George
October y e : S d : 1756 : Humbly Sheweth : and Prays this Hon-
ourable Court that She may be allowed a Reasonable sum for
her said Husbands Gun : which how it was Disposed of at his
Death She hath not as yet had any account : and Therefore
further Prays that this Honourable Court would take her
Humble Petition into their Wise Consideration and Grant her
some Reasonable allowance she being - Left with a Large fama-
ley of Children : your Humble Petitioner as in Duty bound
shall ever Pray ; &c
Pelham March y e : i7 d : 175S
Pheabe Gage :
[In H. of Rep., March 23, she was allowed ;£io.— Ed.]
PELHAM. 145
J
[R. 3-101] [Petition of William Bell, Soldier: addressed
to the General Assembly, 175& '•]
The Humble petition of William Bell of Pelham In said
Province — Shews — That your Petitioner was an Enlisted Sol-
dier in this Governments pay in 1757. under the Command of
Cap* Hercules Mooney, & had the misfortune to be taken In
the Seige at Fort William Henry, & Carried to Canada from
thence sent to Halifax, from thence to Boston, & by the kind
hand of an over Ruling providence got home sometime in Nov r
T fist*
William Bell
[He asked for an allowance for loss of clothes, etc., which
was granted to the extent of ,£18, 15. — Ed.]
[R- 3-103]
[In a petition addressed to the general court in 1760,
Francis Knowlton, of Pelham, stated that he "was an In-
listed Soldier In the Provincial service In Cap 1 Nehemiah
Lovewells Company, In y e year 1759. That your petitioner
Continued In s d Servis till y e 24 th of Septemb r Last." He
further stated that he was sick at Albany Flats, and came
home as soon as he was able to march. He asked for his
wages, and was paid j£y, io, sterling. — Ed.]
[R. 3-104] [Soldier's Bounty.']
In Committee on Claims July 31, 17S2 —
The Bounty advanced by Pelham to Reuben Hamblet was
Twenty pounds Nine shillings which Sum was deducted from
his depreciation acc°
Ex d per Josiah Gilman Jun r
[S-199] [Petition of the Committee of Safety and Select-
men: addressed to the General Assembly.]
The Petition of us the Subscribers (being the Committee of
Safety and Selectmen for the Town of Pelham)
Humbly Shevveth —
That we your Petitioners are at all times, under an anxious
Concern for the Wellfare, Peace, & Safety, of their much In-
12
I46 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
jured Country and more Especially at this time, from an Ap-
prehension of the mischief, and Bad Consequence, which may
follow upon, So many of General Burgoynes troops Deserting
into the Country, for they are Daily Traveling, 3 or 4 or half a
Dozen at a time, Through all these Parts, which we find,
Gives Great Uneasiness to the Inhabitants, in General, within
the Compass of our knowledge &c — and many are the Evils
that may follow — and first, we are Apprehensive, that their
■want of food, and Clothing, may Excite them, to Rob, & Steal,
from the Inhabitants, and 2 dly which is worse, that they may,
(when an oppertunity Presents) Join with, and Carry on, Some
Very Secret, and Destructive Plot, of our Domestic Enemies,
(the Ugly Tories — ) against the United States of america — and
we think it Very Unnecessary for the Continent, to be at the
Cost of keeping a Guard Round Said Troops, that Lets them
flock off, by fifties & Hundreds, and Doth not Restrain any of
them — Therefore your Petitioners Humbly Prays your Honours
Consideration upon the matter of this Petition, and (if it be
Consistent with the will of your Honours,) Issue out orders
thro' this State for all Such Deserters to be Taken up, & Car-
ried Back, to their Respective Regiments, upon the States
Cost, or to Confine them in Close Goals, or any other method
that you in your great Wisdom Shall See fit — to Prevent their
Desertion & Execute Justice to the Deserted — &c — and as we
are in Duty Bound Shall Ever Pray —
John Mussey *)
Aaron Wyman ] Committee
Josiah Gage )■ of
Bar" Gibson Safety
Asa Richardson j
Josiah Gage
Daniel Barker >■ Selectmen
J. Butler
irker >
Jun' )
[8-200] [Petition of Inhabitants of Pelham : addressed to
the Committee of Safety, 1777 '.]
Humbly Sheweth
That Whereas the Authority hath made Requisition of the
Town of Pelham, for the Number of Seventeen men to Serve
in the Continental Army for the Term of three years ; In Com-
pliance to the Authority, and the zeal we have for the Glorious
Cause of Liberty now Contending for, and being sensible of
the Duty Devolving on us, the Town hath been Call d together,
PELHAM. 147
and in the first Place Voted 20 Pounds Lawful money for En-
couragement to each Soldier that should Inlist for s d Term, and
on making Tryal Could not obtain them — Therefore the Town
thought Proper to Vote an additional Sum of 10 Pounds for
farther Encouragement, and yet the men Cannot be obtained —
your Petitioners therefore beg Leave to Inform your Honours,
that there are Six men Engaged, on Condition that Lt Thomas
Hardy may go their officer, and it plainly appears to your Pe-
titioners that if the above s d Hardy may be appointed ; the
Proportion of men will be Immediately obtained, otherways
they do Entirely Decline, as they have little or no acquaintance
with the officers already appointed, &c — Therefore your Peti-
tioners Humbly Pray, that your Honours would appoint the s d
Lt Thomas Hardy to be a Lieut — as your Petitioners Look
upon him to be a man worthy of that Trust — or otherwise Re-
lieve us in our Difficulty as you in your Great Wisdom shall
see meet, and we your Humble Petitioners, as in Duty Bound
Shall Ever Pray— "
Pelham April y e 21" 1777 —
Daniel Coburn major
Asa Richardson Capt
Jesse Willson Lt
Nathan Butler Ensign
Robert Nevens Lt
Josiah Gage ~\ Selectmen
Daniel Barker v of
Jacob Butler J r j Pelham
Barnabas Gibson \ Committee of Safety
Aaron wyman > of
John Mussey ) Pelham
[Thomas Hardy was first lieutenant in the third com-
pany of Gen. Stark's regiment at Bunker Hill. Abner
Gage, in same company, was wounded in that battle, as was
also Seth Cutter. Both were from Pelham. — Ed.]
[8-201] \_Petition of the Officers, Co?nmittee, and Selectmen
of Pelham : addressed to the Co?n?nittee of Safety. ~\
Humbly Sheweth,
That whereas the Authority hath made Requisition of the
said Town for a Number of men, to Serve as Soldiers, in the
Continental Army, during the war, or in Case that Cannot be
done, to Raise them for One vear —
I48 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
In Complyance to the Authority, and being Sensible of the
Duty Devolving on us, the Town hath been Call'd together,
and in the first Place Tryal was made to raise the men During
the War, but without effect, — and Secondly we have Tryed by
offering -very Extraordinary Hire as an Encouragement to the
Men to Enlist for one Year, but Could not obtain them, the
Teason Given by the men for their not Enlisting for a Year, is,
their Time will Expire so late in the year, as to Prevent their
Returning in Season, to take care of their Business, by which |
Means they will in a manner loose the Next Season — your \
Petitioners beg leave therefore to inform your Honors, that we
can Emmediately Procure our full Complement of men, in
Case they may be mustered for Nine Months, and Whereas we
TDxpect we Can, and are willing to replace the Same at the end
of the said Nine months — which if Truly preform'd we cannot
Concieve will be any damage to the State — Therefore your
Petitioners Humbly Pray, that your Honors, would give orders
to the Muster-master to Muster our -Compliment of Soldiers for : ^
the Term of nine Months, or otherwise Relieve us in our Deffi-
culty as you in Your Great Wisdom. shall see meet, — and we
your Petitioners as in Duty Bound Shall ever Pray —
Pelham, July 10 th 1779 —
Daniel Coburn ^
Asa Richardson ^rc
RobartNevens f° fficers
Nathan Butler J
Josiah Gage ")
Thomas Hardy > Committee
Joshua Atwood )
Daniel Barker ") 1
Caleb Butler \ Selectmen
[S-202] [Petition of Inhabitants of Pelham relative to a
division of the State into Counties: addressed to the
General Assembly, 1769.^
Most humbly sheweth that your Petitioners being Informed
that the Province is about being Devided into Countys for the
ease and benefit of the inhabitants in General in transacting
their business of a Publick Nature, and being also informed
that the General Assembly have Voted a small County to be
set off Adjacent to the Westerly side of Merrimack River,
Your Petitioners pray that the Towns of Bow, Chester Lon-
donderry, Pelham Plastow Salem Hampsted & Sandown,
which lay Conveniently situated to s d County may be Annexed
PELHAM.
149
thereto as it would save most of the Inhabitants of said Towns
thirty Miles travel in transacting their business with the Courts,
Judges of Probate, Register &c And no other person whatso-
ever would (as your Petitioners conceive) he Injured thereby
And your Petitioners as in Duty Bound shall ever Pray &c —
Daniel Gage
Ebenezer Palmer
Timothy Clark
John Tarbox
Nathaniel marbel
Nehemaiah Jaques
William Wymon
Eleazer Whiting
Samuel atwood
Joseph Wyman Jr
Samuel watts
Amos Gage
Hugh Tallant
William Richardson
Uriah Abbot
Joseph wyman
Simon Bard
Jacob Butler
Joshua atwood
Philip Hardy
Ebenezer Varnum
Silas Coburn
Ebenezer webster
Eri Richardson
Caleb Butler
Samuel Butler
james foster
jesse I lardy
Thomas Johnson
Robet Nevens
Robt Noevens Jur
Jacob Butler Jun r
Jacob Hardy
John Mussey
Benjamin Gage
Joseph Richardson
Jonathan Kimball
Josiah Hardy
John Wyman
Daniel Butler
Asa Hildreth
Jonathan Stickney
Edward Coburn
Elijah Coburn
Benjamin Coburn
Philip Richardson
jun r
David Cumings
Edmund Hardy
Edmund Hardy Jun r
Josiah gage
Richard Barker
Josiah Gutterson
Richard Hall
Isaac Webster
James Heath
Pearce gage
Josiah gage Ju r
Daniel Gage Jun r
Daniel Colburn
Joseph Butler
Eben r Jaques
Joseph Wilson
John Baldwin
Daniel Barker
John Gibson
James Gibson
Barnabas Gibson
Asa Richardson
Eben r Barker
Andrew Barker
James Shearburn
Joshua Hamblet
mark Gould
[8-203] \_Petition of sundry Inhahitaizts in reference to a
Poll Parish.]
To the Hon bI Senate and house of Representatives —
This may Certify that we the Subscribers Not having any
oppertunity to Sine that Petition before it was sent to your
honnours for a Pole Parish In the Town of Pelham we would
wish that our Names might be as well Excepted as if thay had
Ben Put to the Petition as we are Jointly Conected in the
Same Boddy
David Johnson Jonas Richerdson
Paul Tenney William Johnson
ames Foster Ebeneser Richerdson
>amuel Richardson Jeremiah Gage
t
Samuel gains
I50 EARLY TOWN PAPERS*
[8-204] [ Vote of Tow?t relative to Poll Parish.~\
At an Ajournment of a Town Meeting Sep r the 5 th 1786
Voted not to send a man to Court in Answer to a Protion for a
Poll Parish
John Ferguson Town Clerk
[See introduction, page 143. — Ed.]
[8-205] [Relative to a New ParishJ\
at a Town Meeting april 28 th 17S3 —
2ly Voted to Excuse all those of Their Minister Rate for the
future who hath or Shall Sign their Names a Gainst the Rev d
M r Moody voted that one Month from the date here of is Given
to those who hath not Signed to Sign for or a Gainst the Rev d
M r Moody
at an Adjournment of a Town Meeting to the 27* day of
Febuary 1786
3ly Voted to Give Liberty for a Pole Parrish in said Town
A True Coppy Test — John Ferguson Town Clerk —
[8-206] [Return of Ratable Polls, 1783.']
In Obedience to the Requisition of the General Court of
Octob r Last for making out the Number of Polls paying for
themselves a Poll Tax
We the Subscribers have Proceeded accordingly and find the
Number to be in the Town of Pelham — 155
Joshua Atwood^) Selectmen
Tho" Spafibrd [ of
Benj a Barker ) Pelham
[Sworn to before Josiah Gage, Dec. 27, 17S3.]
[8-207] [Petition of the Selectmen of Pelham relative to the
Observance of Sunday : addressed to the General Asse?n-
bly.
Humbly Sheweth —
That amongst the many Sins of this land against the Su-
preame being the Breach of the Lords Day is very nottorious :
persons are So bold and Insulting that if an officer So much as
mention the Breach of Sabbath he is treated with threats &
"
PELHAM. 151
insults, we Beg leave to observe that if the Lords Day ought to
be kept holy we think that we have no other place to look but
to you our political fathers to make Salutary Laws for the pur-
pose — And whereas the law now in force for the Observation
of the Lords Day is insufficient to answer the purpose intended
in the first place we think it is not so Explicit as we would
Wish and Secondly the fines is not so high as they ought to be ;
and lastly that there is not officers enough impowered to Exe-
cute the Same ; For these & some other reasons that might be
mentioned — We your Petitioners Humbly pray your Excellency
& Hon™ to take the Subject matter of our petition under your
wise & Serious Consideration and pass Such a law as may an-
swer the Salutary purpose propossed and as in Duty bound
Shall pray
To the Gen 1 assembly to meet at Portsmouth the 20 th of oct br
1784
Benj a Barker
Josiah Gage
Jesse Smith
[8-208] ^Petition of Inhabitants of Pelham for a Poll
Parish : addressed to the Senate and House of Represen-
tatives. "\
Humbly Sheweth that
it hath been our unhapy Lot in the Town of Pelham for a Long
Time to Live in a Broken and DisaGreable Situation with Re-
spect to our Religious Matters in Said Town as we Cannot
Receive any Spiritual Edefication from the Preaching of the
Rev ent M r Moody Now Minister in s d Town and for a Long
Time have not attended the Same, But have attended at Wind-
ham and elsewhere on Publick Worship which is Very Incon-
venient for your Petitioners Si Burdenson To others Where we
attend —
We further Shew your Honnors we have Made many & Long
Trials to Conceliate the Matters or to be Set off by a Pole Per-
ish as we Pay a Very Large Share of the Minister Tax in S d
Town which we think is Very hard & not agreable to the Con-
stitution of the State as we Do not Nor for a Long Time have
not attended or been any Trouble to Said Minister or People in
there Religious Matters, & as the Town of Pelham have at a
Leagel Town Meeting Voted their Consent for a Pole Parish in
Said Town, & as we Consider your Honnors to be Guardens
for the People & will with Equal Justice Releave the Distressed
— therefore Pray your Honnors to Take our Complaint under
your Wise Consideration & grant us a Pole Perish acording to
the Vote of Said Town, or grant us Releaf as your Honnors In
152
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
your Greate Wisdom Shall See fit — and your Petitioners as in
Duty Bound Shall Ever Pray —
Dated Pelham June 9 th 17S6—
Josiah Gage
John Bradford
David gage
Isaac Barker
Ebenezer Webster
Jonathan Webster
Jacob Kemp
Asa Hardy
Lot Spaulding
Daniel tenney
Eliphelet Hardy
Caleb Butler
Jesse Barker
Ebenezer Barker
John Nevens
Aaron vvyman
Jese vvyman
Josiah vvyman
Dudley Hardy
Nehe™ Butler
Daniel Wyman
Isaac Barker Hatter
Joseph Baldwin
Edmund Hardy
James Hall
Jesse Willson
Daniel Willson
Timothy Davis
Zebulon May
David Butler
Josiah Gutterson
Rechard Hall
Abner foster
Jonathan Barker
Richard Barker
Stephen Person
Peirce Gage
P : Merrill Coburn
Asa Coburn
Abner Gage
William VVebber
Jesse Smith
Phinehas Merrill
Amos Gage
[The foregoing petition was granted, and the petitioners
erected into a new parish for church purposes, January 4,
1787.— Ed.]
[8-209] \_Petition of Inhabitants of Pel ham to have a Li-
brary incorporated : addressed to the General CoitrtJ\
Humbly Shew that your Petitioners with their Associates
have been at Considerable Expence in purchasing Books for the
purpose of infusing usefull knowledge in Pelham and finding
our selves under Some Disadvantages for the want of an incor-
poration therefore pray your Honours, that they with Such
others as may hereafter Join them may be incorporated into a
body politic for the purpose aforesaid under Such Rules and
Regulations as are usual in Institutions ofaSimular nature —
and as in Duty bound will Ever pray
John Ferguson
Josiah Gage
James Gibson
Aaron Hardy
Daniel Hardy
Nehemiah Butler
Pelham November 18 1797
[This petition was granted, and the library incorporated
December 9, 1797. — Ed.]
PEMBROKE. 153
s
PEMBROKE.
The township was granted May, 1726, by the government
of Massachusetts to Capt. John Lovewell and 59 others, in
consideration of their services in fighting the Indians, and
went by the Indian name of Suncook until it was incorpo-
rated, November 1, 1759, by the general court of the prov-
ince of New Hampshire. The petition asking for an incor-
poration stated that " about sixty familys were settled part-
ly within the Township of Bow & partly at a Place called
Suncook & at a Place called Buckstreet." In the act of in-
corporation the town was named " Pembrook," probably in
honor of the Earl of Pembroke. Walter Bryant was author-
ized to call the first meeting of the inhabitants.
December 17, 1763, the town was divided into two
parishes for church purposes — Congregational and Presby-
terian.
The following Pembroke men were in the 1st N. H. Reg-
iment :
Noah Emery, entered April 10, 1777, discharged January
I, 1778.
James Much more, entered January 23, 1777, discharged
January 23, 1780.
Samuel Phelps,* entered January 1, 1777, discharged No-
vember 18, 1779.
Capt. Ebenezer Frye was first lieutenant in Capt. Daniel
Moor's Co., Stark's Reg't, as organized at Cambridge. April,
1775. He was in the service more than five years.
A dispute between the towns of Pembroke and Aliens-
town, concerning the building of bridges over Suncook
river, resulted in the passage of an act, December 24, 1798,
extending the line of Pembroke "to the Easterly and South-
erly Bank of Suncook River."
By an act approved December 13, 1804, a ^ the territory
belonging to the town of Bow situated on the east side of
Merrimack river was severed from that town, and annexed
to Concord and Pembroke.
[8-232] [Petition for a Guards 1747.]
The Humble Petition of Sundry Persons Inhabitants of a
Place called Suncook in said Province
♦Wounded; reported to be at Schenectady January 10, 1778; age 19.
154 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Shews
That your Petitioners live very much Exposed to the Indian
Enemy & may with truth & Propriety Say, they get their bread
at the Peril of their lives by Reason of the Sword of the Wil-
derness — there being no place within 1 8 or 20 Miles from them,
from w T hence they could Expect any help in Case of an Attack
from the Enemy— Whereby their Husbandry is greatly Imped-
ed & not only So but they triust be Obliged to Quit their Plan-
tations & Come in to Some place or places of Greater Safety
unless Supported where they are
That the breaking up of the frontier Settlem 1 is a thing of a
bad Tendency & Consequence many ways, which is too obvi-
ous to need a particular mention as also that it is much better
for the Public Safety to keep the Enemy at as Great Distance
as possible, and Your Petitioners having at great Expence (to
them) bro't their Settlements to a good Degree oflmprovem*
are the more unwilling to Quit them wherefore they Humbly
Pray that a number of Soldiers May be Sent to Guard & De-
fend them while they are Cultivating & Improving their Lands
and doing their necessary Labours of the Summer Season & be
otherways aiding & assisting to them in the usual & Customary
way & manner, & they shall as in duty bound Ever Pray &c
Samuel Smith Moses Tyler James Moore Benj a Holt David
Abbot Richard Eastman John Cochran John Nox John Fife
Ephraim Blunt Tho' M c Connell David Lovejoy John Noyce
Caleb Lovejoy Marias Whittemore William Moor W ra Nox
James White Aaron Whittemore W m Nox Sam 1 Gott Andrew
Gott Joseph Brown Francis Doyn James Man —
moses foster
[The assembly ordered that "eight good effective men"
be impressed, and posted at Suncook, to be changed once
a month, until the 20th of October, 1747, if need be. — Ed.]
[8-233] [Petition for Incorporation, 1757 : addressed to the
General Asse?nbly.~\
The Humble Petition of John Noyce of a Place called Sun-
cook as Agent of Sundry of the inhabitants of said Place & of
Bow & Places adjoining.
Shews —
That there are near Sixty Families Inhabiting within the
Boundaries of the Township of Bow of the Said Place Called
Suncook & a Place called Buck Street which are Situated So
PEMBROKE. 155
near one another as to be Convenient for a Township but Some
of them are upon Lands not within any Township & others
within Said Township of Bow by Reason whereof they cannot
all join and Act as a Place Incorporated — That they have a
Minister of the Gospel Settled among them who has been for a
Considerable time Supported by Voluntary Contribution which
fall heavy on a few of them while others go free and as they
have thots of Building a Meeting House which is now Neces-
sary it will be Still a Greater Burthen on those who are Willing
to do all they can to advance the Settlement of the Lands there
than if they had Authority to Lay a Just & Proportionable Tax
on all who may Enjoy the Benefit of it —
That the Bounds they Propose for a Township are as follows
viz on the West by Merrimack River on the North by vSou-
Cook River on the East by the Townships of Chichester & Ip-
som & on the South by Sun-Cook River within which Limits
is Contain'd about the Quantity of Six Miles Square and they
are Natural & Suitable Boundaries for a Township —
That it is not Proposed that by Erecting Such a Township
the Property of the Lands should be Affected — But as part of
Said Lands fall within the Bounds of Bow which is a Town-
ship already Incorporated it is necessary the Proposed Incorpo-
ration Shoud be made by a Special Act to Disunite & Exoner-
ate the Said Inhabitants from the Duties of the former Incorpo-
ration
Wherefore Your Petitioner in behalf of his Constituents Hum-
by Prays That a Township may be made by the Boundaries
aforesaid & Infranchised with the usual Liberties Powers &
Privileges of Corporate Towns in Said Province & Exempted
from Subjection to any other Town and that he may have
Leave to bring in a Bill Accordingly And he Will Ever Pray
Ac-
John Noyes
[The town was incorporated by the name of " Pembrook,"
November i, 1759. — Ed.]
[8-234] [Consent of Inhabitants of Buckstreet to foregoing,
We the In Habitence of Buckstreet who Shewed oure Desire
To be InCorperated with Suncook (So Called) ware and are
free and willing for the Same with a pervisal we might be free
trom paying any Back Rates Either to Province or minester
which Thay promised us and now Refuse which we Think
I56 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Very unresonable for us to pay their Debts Due Before we
Joyne Being Scarsely able to pay oure own
Thomas Lucas
Thomas Sincklor
John m c garTey
David Connor
James Luckus
James Cochran
Daniel Luckos
William Fullerton
John Sinkler
Joseph Sinkler
William Marten
Samuel Connor Juner
[8-23S]
[This document is a crude plan of the premises mention-
ed in the foregoing petition for an incorporation, showing
the land proposed to be included. — Ed.]
[8—236] [ Committee relative to action of the Proprietors in
the 7natter of Incorporation.^
Province of Newhamp r October y e 12 th 1759
whereas the Proprietors of Bow in Said Province at their
annual meeting held at Stratham in Said Province by adjorn-
ment on the 2 d Day of this Instant October made Chose of us
the Subscribers with others to Joyn with the Inhabatance of a
Certain tract of Land Lying between y e Rivers meremack Sun-
cook & Soucook cSc y e Southwest Side of Chichester or their
agent M r John Noyesto Do all that in us Lay to obtain a parish
of y e afore Said Land — Pursuant thereto we humble Beg that
your Exelency would be Pleased to grant the petition of m r
John noyes which petition is Signed by him & Dated y e 6 th
Day of January 175S & your petitions Shall as In Duty
Bound Ever pry &c
Israel Gil man \
Walter Bryent > Comm ttee
Sam 1 Lane j
[8-237] [Petition of David Connor and Tho??ias JMcIucas
relative to Ministerial Affairs : addressed to the General
Assetnbly, fan. 14, i/6j.']
Shews,
That the Rever* M r Aaron Whittemore as Minister of said
PEMBROKE. 157
Parish by the Consideration of the Justices of his Majesty's
Super 1 " Court of Judicature, lately recovered Judgment against
the Inhabitants of said Parish, for the Sum of near three thou-
sand pounds old Tenor, as an Arrearage of Salary for about
twenty Months from the time of bringing his Action, due to
[words torn oft'].
That at the time said Parish was Incorporated, many of the
Inhabitants were Presbyterians bred up according to the form
of the Kirk of Scotland, who tho' they joind with the Congre-
gationalists, when they coud not obtain and Support a Minis-
ter of their Own Sentiments in these matters, yet always In-
tended as soon as a sufficient number of that Denomination
were settled in the Parish to settle a minister of their own, One
who was Educated in and professd the Principles of the said
Kirk, and accordingly for more than Seven Eighth's of the said
Time, they had such a Minister, who has continued with them
ever since, and is Ordained according to the form aforesaid —
That it has been Resolved by the Legislative Authority of this
Prov e and often Determined by the Executive Courts, that the
Presbyterians living in any Parish where the Settled Minister
is a Congregationalism attending Divine worship according to
their Own Way, (either in the same Parish or Elsewhere,) are
by the Law of the Province, exempted from paying towards
the Support of such Minister, as well as the Members of the
Church of England or the Quakers —
That the sum Recovered as aforesaid is Intirely for the Min-
- isters Service of which the Presbyterians in Pembroke had
not the benefit, excepting about two Months, and Many of
them who have settled there since, not so much as that, but
having a Minister of their own, all the Rest of said time, are
Clearly within the Exemption and Saving of the Law afore-
said ; and tho' the Judgment aforesaid, was Recovered agt the
Inhabitants in General, (it not being the Pla ,s business to Dis-
tinguish those Exempted from the rest, for if there had been
fifty Quakers there, the Action and Judgment woud have been
in the same form against the Inhabitants, and yet in that Case
nobody woud have tho't such Quakers Liable to pay towards
Satisfying the Judgment,) yet the said Presbyterians, conceive
they Ought not to pay, for any more than that proportion of
time, while they attended M r Whittemore's Ministry, which
they are willing to do, and for more they humbly Conceive
they should not be Subjected by Law — but as many trials in
that way, would tend to the Ruin of the Parish, they desire to
prevent it by some more Amicable and Summary Method —
and tho Such an Equitable assessment might be made, by the
Select men, yet being parties and Interested, as it woud be ex-
tremely Difficult for them to be Impartial, so few woud be sat-
I58 EARLY TOWN PAPERS. J
isfied and acquiesce, with what they shoud do in that matter — \
Wherefore your petition" in behalf of their principals, Hum-
bly pray, that some suitable disinterested Persons, of some j
other Town or Parish, may be Authorized to Assess said Sum,
(which is yet to be Raisd,) on the Polls and Estates of the In-
habitants aforesaid, and to adjust and Assess the proportion of
the said Presbyterians in Equity, according to the time they
Respectively sat under M r Whittemore's Ministry, after the In-
corporation aforesaid, or the time of his Settlement after it — j
and that each Society may for the future be Considered as a
Distinct Parish, and Indpend 1 of One Another, as to the Sup-
port of the Gospel Ministry. And that your Petition™ may
have leave to bring in a bill accordingly and they will as Duty
bound Ever Pray &c —
David Connor
Thomas mc Lucas
> agents
[In H. of Rep., June 2, 1763, the petitioners were granted
liberty to bring in a bill. Council concurred with an
amendment as follows : — Ed.]
In Council June 3 d 1763. Read and Concurred with this
Amendment that the Presbiterian party pay their Proportion
of Judgment Recovered by M r Whittemore till they had a Min-
ister Settled by the Presbitery, which is three months and
whereas the Parish have Voted to Raise by Tax a Sum of
Money to oppose the Prosecution of these affairs, which was
as it appears in favour of the Presbiterians, that what ever sum
this may amount to, the Congregational party to be exonerated
from —
T. Atkinson, Jun r Sec 7
In the House of Representatives Eod m Die
Read & Concurred —
A Clarkson Clerk
[See Vol. IX, p. 659.— Ed.]
[S-241] \_Petition of Jonathan Dlxfor a Ferry: addressed
to the Governor and Council, 1774..]
Humbly shews —
That your Petitioner is desirous of improving a certain
Place in Merrimack River for a Publick Ferry about three
Miles below Merrills Ferry so called, at which Place Your Pe-
titioner humbly begs leaves to represent unto Your Excellency
and Honours that there will be the great passing Roads from
PEMBROKE. 159
the Towns of Hillsborough Heneker Dunbarton and many-
other Towns even so far Westward as Charlestown, That it
will not only Accomodate those Towns with Conveniency of
passing but lessen their Distance some Miles in the travelling
to Portsmouth the Metropolis of this Province —
Your Petitioner also humbly begs Leave to assure Y r Excel-
lency and Honours that if he is indulged in this his Petition,
he will be very solicitous to provide a proper Boat or Boats to
accommodate every Traveller in his passing and repassing s d
River and Otherways Oblige himself to fulfill and perform all
such Restrictions and Regulations as Your Excellency and
Honours may think proper to lay upon him And Your Peti-
tioner as in Duty bound shall ever pray —
Jonathan Dix
Portsmouth Jan y 21 st 1774 —
[An elaborate plan of the river, from a point above Horse-
shoe pond to a point below Hooksett falls, which accom-
panied this petition, may be found in manuscript vol. 2, p.
229. — Ed.]
[8-239] [^Jonathan Dix recommended. ~\
We the Subscribers Inhabitants of Concord, Bow and Pem-
broke do apprehend it necessary to have a Ferry Established
across Merrimack River between Pembroke and Bow at a
place called the old Ferry place about a Mile below Garvins
Falls ; And do think that M* Jonathan Dix is a very fit person
to keep a Ferry there, and will keep a good one.
March the 22 nd 1774
Peter Green
And w M c Millan
David Gilman
Jn° Bryent
Sam 11 Noyes
Samuel Connor
Peter Robinson
Benja Norris
[8-240] [Measurements relative to the Ferry, 1774.]
February y e 3 d 1774 —
We the Subscribers by Jonathan Dix' Desire have Measured
a part of Merrymack River Beginning att Garvins Falls So
Called Down the River on the Ice to the mouth of Soucook
River So Called and find it to be 192 Rods from thence to the
l6o • EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
old Ferry place So Called 12S Rods from thence to the Mouth
of the Meeting House Brook So Called 60 Rods from thence to
a Large white pirie tree Standing on the westerly side of the
River on Land of M r Alexanders 260 Rods Being in the whole j
two Miles which is an Exact Measure by the Chain on the
Ice— I
Benjamin Norris Servayor
Stephen Bartlett
[8—242] [Petition for Ammunition, Iff6."\
To the Honourable the Provential Congress now Setting at
Exeter, —
Gentlemen —
We being the Select men of Pembroke and haveingbeen fre-
quently Importuned to get a Store of Powder of which at Pres-
ent we have none and There being a number of Men Willing
to go in Order to Stop the British Troops and Canadians from
Penitrating into the back Settlements of New England Pray
Procure Some Powder & lead for us If Possible viz About One
hundred w* of gun Powder & About Half H d W* of Lead and
About Two Hundred Flints or as Much as Will Answer for the
Present Nesesity on Any Terms and Send p r favour of m r
Aaron Whittemore we have no Store amongst us and men
Would make but a Poor hand of Fiteing an Enemy with out
Ammunition pray don't fail of Sending if it Can be Procured.
we are Gentlemen Your Most Humble Serv u
Pembroke July 2 d 1776 —
Will" 1 Cochran ) Select men of
David Abbot J Pembroke
[8-243] [Relative to Capt. McConnell.']
Pembrook June y* 5 th 1777 —
Whereas it appears that Some 111 minded Persons have a De-
sign to Injure the Chorector of Cap 1 Samuel M c Connell —
we the Subscribers Committee of Safty and Inspection for
the town of Pembrook, Do hereby Certify to all whom it may
Concearn that he has appeared to be a friend to his Country
and has all ways Been Ready both in Person and Estate to asist
and Contrebute in the Defance of the Common Cause of Amer-
rica —
Jacob Doyne
James Robertson
David Connor
PEMBROKE.
161
[8-245] [Petition relative to Caflt. McConnell: addressed
to the Coimcil and House of Representatives.^
Humbly Sheweth that whereas Cap* Samuel McConnell on
the 28 of May 1777 Did by a small majority of Votes obtain a
Vote for to Represent S d town in General assembly and as we
are Consious to our Selves that he is an Enemy to the Glorious
Cause we are now Engaged in and that Such Persons being In-
troduced into our Publick assemblies will be Atended with the
Most Dangerous and Fatal Consequences — therefore prav that
your Honnours will take the Subject Matter of this our Petition
into Consideration and Grant us a Day of Hearing as Soon as
may be Conveniently had and Dismiss said m c Connell from
your hous and your Petitioners as in Duty bound Shall Ever
Pray
Pembroke June 2 d 1 777
Asa Foster
Joseph Baker
Job Abbott
Nath 11 Head
Nath 11 Ambrose
Jonathan Bartlet
Benjamin Holt
James Head
Lovell Baker
Jere h Wardwell
John head
Thomas Baker
Joseph Swett
David Abbott
Peter Gilman
Peter Gilman Jr
John Carlton
Nathnel Lakman
William Carlton
Asa Foster Jr
[8—246] \_Stateme72t of the Moderator relative to the Pro-
ceedings of a To / wn-AIeeting.~\
Pembroke December S th 1777
The Proceedings of the Inhabitants of Pembroke at a Meeting
to Chuse a Representative on the Above Said day it was Al-
most Night when the Select men Came to the meeting house
and After the Moderator was Chosen it was so Dark in the
Meeting house he Could not Read the warrant til he Changed
Places with the (Ok) to have the light of a window after he had
Read the warrant Richard Bartlet Esq 1 " Motion'd Against Send-
ing any Representative and was Seconded by Some but he In-
sisted upon it So much that Although it was against my own
mind I put it to Vote to se if they would Chuse a man to Send
to Cort there Seemed to be Some more hands ag l it than was
for it but Several men Came forward and said it was no Vote
for Some men held up both hands then Col l> Gilman made a
Speech and advised to Send a man and then they Seemed in
General to be of a mind to Send a man then I Desired them to
bring in their Votes for a Representative and Accordingly they
13
l62 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
did there was 44 Votes for Col Gilman although Some of them
I thought had no Right to Vote one of them is not of age Alth°
his father would not tell me when Asked the Question Some
Others that Never paid a Tax in the Town Neither were they
free holders which I thought had no Right to Vote for a Rep-
resentative and there was 45 Votes for Cap 1 m c Connell and one
for L* Head the Clerk Spoke and Said it was a Tye and I Spoke
So after him and Some of the men Said there was a man Come-
ing that would untie it So both Parties waited with Patience
till the man Came in but Clk Bartlet went out of the meeting
house to get the man to Vote for Col Gilman as I was after-
wards Informed alth he Did not make out So I waited for the
Clerk till he Came in and Asked him If he had Voted and he
Told me he had & I told I had not yet So I Voted for Cap' m c -
Connell which made 47 Votes for him with the man's Vote
that Came in and Then I Told tiiem that they had made Choice
of Cap* m c Connell for their Representative and Imediately
after that was Proclaimed Both by the Moderator and the Town
Clerk-
Several men went away and Seing that Nath 11 Head Came
forward and Said he was Dissatisfied with the Choice and then
they began In a Confused manner to Talk of haveing a Pole
Others Said it was not fair to Ask a pole when part of the men
was gone home Others Said they had no Right to ask a pole
when Three men was Voted for So they began to get Very
warm in Disputing it Soon grew Dark Cap 1 m c Connell Spoke
and Said he was willing to Throw up his Choice and let the
Meeting be Adjourned till the next Day and let the Town Try
if they Could Choose Some man that would Please them all:
Col Gilman Spoke and Said it was little Satisfaction to Repre-
sent a Town and but little more than half the people for him
but he was for the Meeting going on and Spoke of haveing a
Candle and Instantly there was a lited Candle brought into the
meeting house and Then Insisted on their haveing a pole
Athough a great many of the men was gone home which I
thought was not proper at that time of Night but Intended they
Should have a pole the next Day and as there was two Other
Articles in the warrant and in the Confusion the Clerk left the
meeting although I Desireded him to Stay a little longer: so I
Advised to have the meeting Adjournd Some Appeared warm
for it Others Against it So as the Clk : had left the meeting I
thought best to Adjourn till the next day at one OClock after
noon at the Same place but the Clerk Could not be found Nei-
ther Could there be Enterance into that meeting house for the
man that had the key refused Giveing it up So I went to the
meeting house & Called the meeting and Adjourned it to the
Other meeting house and then Opened the meeting again &
PEMBROKE.
163
Some of them Desired a pole which was granted and there was
fifty Legal Voters. that pol'd for Cap 1 M c Connell to be Repre-
sentative then I proceeded on the Other Articles & then De-
solved so Imediately Aplication was made to Col Oilman he
being one of the Selectmen and haveing the Precept that it
might be Sent but he uterly Refused Signing or Giveing it up
to any man So I Shall leave It to your Honours whether Cap*
m c Connall was legaly Chosen to Set as a Representative or
whether your Honours will Send a precept for a New Choice
William Cochran Moderator
Pembroke January 2 d 1778
The Occation of the foregoing Proceedings not been Sent
Sooner was because Some Persons gave out word that they De-
termined to Break the meeting:.
[8-247 and R. 3-
05] \_Petitio?i to be annexed to Col. Stick-
ney's Regiment, 1777. ~]
To the Hon ble Council & House of Representatives setting at
Exeter —
The petition of us the subscribers as well the alarm List as
the training Band of the first Company of Melitia in Pembroke,
it being the Second Company in Col° Daniel Moors Regiment
humbly sheweth — That your Petitioners live at a distance from
the body of the Regiment and at a greater distance from their
Colonel which renders the situation disagreeable in many re-
spects — as we lay bordering on Col Stickney's Regiment we
think it would much more commode us as well as being more
convenient to the public to be annexed to Col Stickney's Regi-
ment — We therefore desire your Honours will grant Comply-
ance or point out some other Method that your Petitioners may
be remidied and as your Petitioners are in duty bound shall
ever pray — Decem r
: 30*, 1777—
Asa Foster
Jn° Parker
Sam 1 Phelphs
Asa Foster Jr.
Joseph Parker
Nathan Holt
Fred k Foster
Lemuel Stickney
Jerem h Abbott
Joseph Swett
W™ Carlton
Samuel Abbott Jr
Eliph' Swett
Benj a Mills
Nath 1 Oilman
Benj" Whittemore
Rich d Head
Peter Gilman Jr
Thorn 8 Baker
Sam 1 Kimball
Zeb n Gilman
Nath 1 Lake man Jr.
Dean Merrill
Job Abbott
Sam 1 Lakeman
Nathan Noyes
Joseph Emery
Sam 1 Abbott
Aaron Whittemore
Sam 1 Piper
David Lovejoy
Peter Whittemore
Benj a Piper
I64 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Dan 1 Holt David Kimball Daniel Noyes
Nath 1 Head Benj a Jennis Joshua Kimball
Jn° Head J onn Carlton Chandler Lovejoy
Elias Whittemore Jer h Morgan Caleb Lovejoy
Joseph Baker Moses Forster Nath 1 Lakeman
Lovewell Baker Mitchel Kimball Nath 1 Ambrose
Jer h Wardwell James Head Jon a Bartlett
Levi Carter Frye Holt
Benj a Hall Josiah Haggett
[In H. of Rep., January 2, 1778, a hearing was ordered
for the next session ; meanwhile Colonels Moor and Stick-
ney were to be notified. November 13, 1778, the H. of
Rep.,—
"Resolved, That the first company of militia in Pembroke
commonly called the English Company, be separated and
disjoined from the Regiment commanded by the said Col
Daniel Moore, and be annexed to the regiment commanded
by Col Thomas Stickney." — Ed.]
[R. 3-107] [Soldier's Discharge, zySo."]
Smith Soldier in the first N. Hampshire Reg* formerly
an Inhabitant of Pembrook County of Rockingham and state of
N. Hampshire having honourably and faithfully served in the
service of the United States Three years being the term of his
Inlistment is hereby Discharged from the Army and is permit-
ted to return to the state of N. Hampshire
, Jo 8 Cilley Col°
To whom it may Concern
West Point April 20 th 1780
[R. 3-108] [Capt. Head's Return, 1780.']
a return of my orders July the 1 y e 1780
I have inlisted four men to serve in the Continental Servis at
Head Quarters for three months viz moses Tyler John Parker
Amos Lakeman Fredrick foster all of Pembroke also Levy Car-
ter for Coos Campain also of Pembroke Said Carter is ordered
to Pass muster July the 10 the other four at Amherst July 12 th
Nath 1 Head Cap 4
Pembroke July 10 th y e 1780
PEMBROKE. 165
[R. 3-109] \_Capt. Head's Return, 1781."]
Persuant to my orders I have Raised two men one by inlist-
ment and the other by Draft, Viz Aaron Kimball by inlistment
and Gideon Piper by Draft
Pembroke Sept 22 th 17S1
Nath 1 Head Cap'
To Col Tho 8 Stickney
[8—248] [Petition relative to Samuel Daniell, 1782 : ad-
dressed to the General Court. ~\
Humbly sheweth that whereas your Remonstrancers did pre-
sent to your Hon 1 * Court at their session in March last a peti-
tion praying that Leu 1 Sam 1 Daniell Might be appointed to the
Office of a Justice of the peace but by being then Opposed was
postponed to their Next session when a Joint petition from the
Inhabitants of Allenstown was presented Upon both which the
Committees of your Hon' 6 Court Reported the prayer should
be granted Yet Nevertheless the same was opposed which pre-
vented the Report being Accepted ; though we Humbly con-
ceive the argument adduced against said petition did no ways
prove any Disquallification in said Daniell to be appointed as
above but it appears to us your Remonstrancers that the oppo-
sition proceeded Cheifly from a motive of private prejudice or
self Interest : therefore Depending upon it your Hon le Court
Aimes to Act from Nobler Motives then those. —
we your Remonstrancers pray & Petition that your Hon le
Court will Reconsider or Reassume the consideration of the
Repeated Reports of your committees of the Hon 11 Court; on
the foresaid Petitions and will Accept & Receive the same as
we Humbly conceive the same to be but Equitable Reasonable
& Just and we again Recommend said Daniell as being Qual-
lifyed to a competent degree for said Office and Your Petition-
ers as in Duty bound shall always pray
Pembrook June 17 th 1782
William Cochran will" 1 Knox Andrew Norn's
Nehemiah M c Daniel James Cunningham John Cullimore
John m c Daniel William Fife Ezekiel Morril
Rob 1 Martin John White Jacob Gray
Samuel Gault James Fife William Knox,
William Martin John Fife William Knox,
Sam 11 Martin Moses M c Connell David Knox
Thomas Cochran John Moor Jun r Starling Sargent
Nathan Piper John man Simeon Sargent
i66
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Nathaniel Piper
John Connor
Daniel lucas
David Robinson
David Gonnor
Gideon Piper
Fredrick Worthen
James man
James Knox
Joseph Cochran
William Knox
John Knox Jur
Daniel Knox
Biley Smith
Trueworthy Dudley
Samuel Man
Willuam Man
william merten Juner
Robert moor
Samuel Parker
John Knox
Jacob Doyne
Francis Doyne
Samuel Gault
Matthew Gault
And w Robertson
William Robertson
And w Gault
william gault
Samuel Noyes
Philap Sargent
John Linord
John Linord
David Webster
Samuel webster
John Webster
James Cochran
James Cochran Ju r
Richard Wait
David wells
Sam 1 M c Connell
Nathan Holt
Nathan Holt
[8-249] [Petition relative to electing a Representative : ad-
dressed to the Senate a?id House of Representatives , 1788. ~\
Humbly shews —
That the Annual meeting of said Inhabitants for the purpose
of Choosing Town Officers by the Incorporation is fixed on the
last Monday of March Annually that it has been a Custom here-
tofore to Choose our Representative for said Town on that day
that Article was in our last Warning but it happening to be the
last day of said Month and having many Articles to Act upon
could not Choose a Representative, but adjourned the same
meeting to Monday the 9 th Instant, on which day we Humbly
pray we may have the Liberty Choose s d Representative or that
your Honors would releive us in such manner as you in your
great Wisdom shall think fit —
Concord June 5 th 1788
John Knox J r
Stephen Bartlet
Isaac Morrison
> Selectmen
[8—250] [Petition of Bryant and Bartlctt for the privilege
of erecting a Toll- Bridge.^
Humbly shew John Bryent of Bow and Richard Bartlet of
Pembroke in the County of Rockingham Esquires ; that a
bridge over merrimack river, near turkey river falls (so called)
would be of great p'ublick utility — that the said Bryent is the
owner of the land adjoining said falls, on each side of said river.
PEMBROKE. I67
Wherefore they pray your honors to grant them their heirs and
assigns the exclusive right of building a toll bridge over said
river at said falls, or at any other place upon said river, be-
tween the grant of James Robinson and the grant lately owned
by Samuel Butters: with liberty of taking such reasonable toll
as your honors in your great wisdom shall think fit, the one
half of the toll after thirty years to be received for the use of the
state, and the other for the benefit of the proprietors — and as
in duty bound will ever pray —
Concord Jan y 1 1 1790— Jn° Bryent
Richard Bartlet
[8—251] [Mei?iorial addressed to the Committee on the Erec-
tiofi of a Bridge.~\
Humbly sheweth
That they have Joined Issue in the petitions preferred to the
Honorable Court concerning Erecting a Bridge over Merimac
River they pray the Hon ble Committee to report on the first
petition as to Securing the privelidge to their heirs & assigns if
agreeable to Your Honors
Jacob Green
Dan 1 Livermore
Enoch Noyes
William Duncan
[8-252] [Petition of the Selectmen of Pembroke and Bow
for Authority to raise JWoney by Lottery to build a Bridge :
addressed to the Senate and House of Representatives. ~\
Humbly Sheweth —
Whereas a Bridge a Cross Merrimack River at some Conveniet
place would be of great Service to the State, and your Humble
Petitioners beg leave to acquaint the Hon hlc Court, that there is
a place on Said River a little below Garvens falls (so call'd)
known by the name of the little Falls, which we are Concious
to be the Best place upon the River, to Build a Bridge, upon
all accounts, firstly Nature has form'd the place so well with
good high Rocky Banks, that it is never overflowed, and the
River Very narrow, and a good Rocky Bottom, and So Shoal
that Men may work in the Water with Conveniency, generaly
the Summer Season, and likewise seems to be the most Cen-
teral for Roads, leading from the Exterior parts of the State,
through Pembroke to Portsmouth and Exeter, and Very little
farther to Haverhill or Newburyport, than to Cross below the
l68 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
other falls, (which we think would not be so much for the
Public Benefit of the State as to Cross higher on the River)
Therefore our Prayer is that the Hon b,e Court would take this
undertheir wise Consideration (and if they Should think the above
Named place most Convenent) and Grant to the Perish of Pem-
broke and the Town of Bow the Privilege of a Lottery for the
Sole purpose of Building a free Bridge for the Benefit of the
Public; a Cross Merrimack River at the aforesaid place, And
that the s d Towns shall have the Exclusive Right upon Said
River for Building Said Bridge from garvens falls Down S'd
River to the mouth of Moors Brook So Call'd, and Your Peti-
tioners as in Duty Bound Shall ever pray.
Pembroke Jan" 7 y e 19 th 1791
Stephen Bartlet ) Select Men
James Cunningham j of Pembroke
James Robertson ) Select Men
Sam 1 Gault \ of Bow
[8—255] [Petition of yacob Green and Enoch Noyes : ad-
dressed to the Senate and Honse of Representatives.^
Sheweth, —
That whereas a Bridge, across Merrimack River, somewhere
between the Right of Ferriage, lately belonging to Samuel But-
ters, and one mile below the Isle-Hooksett, so called, in the
same River; — would be of exceeding advantage to the State of
New-Hampshire; — And as it appears to your Petitioners, that
they should be able, with the approbation, of your Honors, to
erect such a Bridge within the Limits aforesaid, as will, in all
respects, be not only Convenient for every passenger ; — but of
great publick Utility —
They humbly pray your Honors, to take the Premises into
your wise Consideration,- — and grant to the said Green & Noyes
— their Heirs & Assigns forever, the exclusive Right of erect-
ing — maintaining and keeping up a toll Bridge within the said
Boundaries. — And your Petitioners as in Duty bound shall ever
pray.—
Concord Jan y 7 th 1791. —
Jacob Green
Enoch Noyes
PEMBROKE. 169
[8—253] [Petition of William Duncan and Daniel Liver-
more for Authority to erect a Toll- Bridge : addressed to
the General Court, yanuary, lyg/.']
Humbly sheweth
That your petitioners have long entertained the design of
erecting a Bridge over Merrimac River below Concord pro-
vided they could have suitable encouragement.
They are persuaded that the undertaking would be very ex-
pensive but conceive that it would be very advantageous to the
public — under the conviction that they shall have all the aid
and assistance which a work of such public utility merits &
which an enlightened and patriotic Legislature will most read-
ily bestow they are induced at this time to propose to the hon-
ourable the General Court that they will build a Bridge over
said River Merrimac about eight miles below Concord upon
such reasonable Toll as shall be agreed upon & established by
law — that after forty years from the building the Bridge shall
have expired the toll shall be one moiety to the proprietors of
the Bridge & the other to the State.
provided the State will give them the exclusive right of erect-
ing a Bridge over said River at any place within ten miles
below Butters' privilege of ferry —
And in duty bound shall ever pray —
William Duncan
Daniel Livermore
[Feb. 17, 1791, an act was passed granting Jacob Green,
Enoch Noyes, William Duncan, and Daniel Livermore the
exclusive right to erect a toll-bridge over Merrimack river
41 between one mile below Isle Hooksett Falls and one mile
above said falls." — Ed.]
[8-254] [Petition of a Committee on the Bridge for a Lot-
tery : addressed to the General Court, convened yune 7,
779/.]
Humbly shews The subscribers a Committee appointed by
the Parish of Pembroke in said state — that being very desirous
of a Bridge across merrimac River at or near Garvens falls &
that the same may be a free bridge, and it appearing to your
Petitioners that it would be of very great utilitv to the Public at
large, and as there is no probability of any bridge being erected
in consequence of the liberty granted by an act of the General
Court of this state at their last session, therefore pray that your
Honours would grant the liberty of raising by Lottery the sum
I/O EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
of Nine hundred pounds for the sole purpose of erecting a bridge
at said falls or within one mile & a half of said falls either above
or below the same as may be Judged most Convenient for the
public good, which sum we suppose would be absolutely neces-
sary for Compleating the same (but if said sum should exceed,
the surplus to be placed in the Treasury of this state) or re-
served for repairs as to your Honours may appear most Con-
venient, your Petitioners are of opinion that if a Lottery should
be granted it would not be injurious to the public but only pre-
vent those who wish to try their fortune in lotteries from Carry-
ing the money out of this state into the neighbouring states,
fully Confident that it will appear to your Honours that a free
& safe passage over said river would be verv advantageous to
the public and that it is your desire to promote the public good,
we trust that your honours will grant our Request under such
restrictions as may seem meet — and that you will grant liberty
to bring in a Bill accordingly, and your Petitioners as in duty
bound will ever pray
Richard Bartlet
Nath 1 Head
James Cochran V Committee
Daniel Knox
Sam ll M c Connell^
The Committee on petition for Lottery Report that the prayer
of the within petitioners be granted & that they have leave to
bring in a bill accordingly
Daniel Emerson Jr for the Committee
[8-256] [Remonstrance of sundry Inhabitants of Buck'
street against being annexed to Allenstown, 1798.^
Humbly Shew —
The undersigned Inhabitants of that part of Pembroke in the
County of Rockingham known by the name of Buckstreet ; that
the granting the pravers of two Petitions presented to your
Honors at the last Session of the Honourable General Court
held at Hopkinton on the first Wednesday of June last past,
(the one by the Inhabitants of the town ofAllenstown in the
County aforesaid, humbly praying to have annexed to said
Allenstown, a tract of land with the Inhabitants thereof, which
they in their Petition pretend to say, was taken off from the
westerly part ofAllenstown and included in Pembroke when
PEMBROKE. 171
said town was incorporated, it being about one mile, and the
same tract of land which is called Buckstreet ; the other by a
few of the Inhabitants living on said tract of land praying that
the afores d Petition of Allenstown might be granted) would be
greatly injurious and oppressive to your Petitioners ; that your
Petitioners never understood that the above mentioned tract of
land was ever at anytime esteemed a part of Allenstown, or
that the inhabitants thereof had ever at any period of time any
claim upon the same, by any grant whatever, or that Allens-
town has as yet ever been incorporated, that by annexing the
abovementioned part of Pembroke to Allenstown, Pembroke
would be greatly injured, as the necessary town charges would
fall more heavily on the remaining Inhabitants, and they would
be necessitated to class with some other town for the purpose
of choosing a Representative, as the number of Inhabitants that
would then remain would be insufficient according to the Con-
stitution for the purpose That the Inhabitants of Allenstown
can with far less inconveniency support the Bridges over Sun-
cook River than your Petitioners, your Petitioners having al-
ready a considerable extent of highway to maintain, and by rea-
son of the fewness of their number, find it exceeding difficult
to keep the same in proper repair, for the accomodation of
travellers, and should the repairing and keeping in repair the
Bridges over Suncook River be added to w r hat they already
have to do in regard to the reparation of public roads, they must
inevitably sink under the burthen, and the Public remain unac-
comodated. That but two of the persons who signed the other
Petition said to be presented to your Honors by the Inhabitants
living on the beforementioned tract of land were Freeholders in
said town of Pembroke, that in their Petition they have stated
"that the Inhabitants of Pembroke have refused, and still do
refuse, to render any assistance, towards building and repairing
the Bridges over Suncook-River " Which is altogether untrue:
And it can evidently be made to appear, if necessary, by a num-
ber of respectable witnesses, that the Inhabitants of Pembroke,
altho' obligated so to do, by no Law whatever, the same being
without the limits of their town, have invariably for the space
of twenty years last past, been at more than half the expense in
keeping the aforesaid Bridges in repair; That your Petitioners
together with the other Inhabitants of Pembroke have ever here-
tofore approved themselves true friends and lovers of their
Country, in the most difficult times, and have ever demeaned
themselves as good Citizens of this State, and borne with cheer-
fulness their proportion of all public expences, and are still
ready to sustain their part in whatever may conduce to the pub-
lic good. —
Your Petitioners therefore humbly pray your Honors not to
172 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
do thern so irreparable an injury as to annex the abovemen-
tioned tract of land, or any part thereof to Allenstown, by grant-
ing the prayers of the aforesaid Petitions, which can be but of
little advantage to said Allenstown or to the Public at large ; in
comparison of the vast disadvantage it will be to your Petition-
ers and the town of Pembroke : and your Petitioners as in duty
bound will ever pray —
Pembroke November 21* AD 1798
Solomon White- Samuel Cochran Thomas Kimball
house Will" 1 Cochran Jur
Christopher Osgood True worthy Dudley Joseph Emery
Robert Chase J°hn m c daniel Benjamin Piper
Jacob Emery J onn Ayer Nehe h Cochran
Thomas Cochran Caleb Lovejoy Sam 1 Emery
Jacob Edes Joseph Emery Jun r
[See following document.]
[8-257] \_Petitlon of sundry Inhabitants of Pembroke to be
annexed to Allenstown : addressed to the General Court,
i 79 8.
Humbly Shew —
The undersigned, Inhabitants of that part of Pembroke
which was taken off from Allenstown in the County of Rock-
ingham, that they and the public have long laboured, and still
labour under many and Great inconveniences by Reason of the
badness of Bridges over Suncook river —
That the Town of Pembroke have refused and still refuse
to render any assistance towards building and repairing said
Bridges ; Thereby, in effect, endeavouring to compel the town
of Allenstown to Build and keep in repair all the Bridges
across Suncook River, which we conceive to be very unreason-
able and unjust, considering the fewness of the Inhabitants and
the expence of making and repairing their other Roads and
Bridges — And being informed that the Inhabitants of Allens-
town are about petitioning your Honors to have that part of
Pembroke afores d which was formerly Allenstown, Reannexed
to Allenstown for the purpose of enabling them to build and
Repair the Bridges over said river your petitioners therefore
humbly pray your Honors that the aforesaid petition of the In-
habitants of Allenstown may be granted, that they and the
public may no longer suffer for the want of safe and convenient
'
PEMBROKE. 173
Bridges over said River And as in duty bound They will ever
pray—
Pembroke June 4 th 179S —
John Cochran Samuel Martin
Daniel Cochran Thomas Robinson
James Cochran Junr
[John Cochran and James Cochran, Jr., subsequently re-
canted. See vol. 8, p. 260, manuscript. — Ed.]
M.
Rods.
3-
0.
60
0.
IOO
1.
OO
4-
260
3-
2o6
[8-258]
Length of the Roads in Allenstown claimed by Pembroke-
From Epsom line, by Capt Whitehouse's to the main
Road—
From Whitehouse's to Osgood's Mills
Dudley's Road-
Hardy's Road
Two Short Bridges —
Length of the several Roads in Allenstown —
Main Road from Deerfield to Buck street Bridge
Road from the to Candia —
Road from Benj a Wiggins' to Epsom line —
Road from the Schoolhouse to Epsom line — 2. 000
Road from Sam 11 Brown's in Epsom to the main
Road — 1. 000
Road from Chester Road by M r Leonards and over
Boat meadow Brook to the main Road —
Road from the main Road to Mount Delight —
Road from Osgood's mills to Chester line —
From Chester road to Bow line-
Length of Bridges —
Over Bear-Brook by Burgen's Mill —
Fisk's Bridge —
On the Road to Candia
On the Road to Sam 11 Brown's —
On the Road leading to Mount Delight —
On the Road leading by Leonards —
4.
000
0.
240
200
16.
I.
306
H2
98
iles 17.
9 s
Feet.
1 —
"5
90
80
no
50
144
Feet—
5S9
174 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Am* of highway tax in Allenstown in 179S $130.29,7
Sum total of rateable Estate £69.10,7. —
[See introduction, page 153. — Ed.]
PETERBOROUGH.
The grant of the township was made by the legislature
of Massachusetts to Samuel Heyward and others, Dec. 8,
1737, approved by Gov. Belcher Jan. 16, 1738, and surveyed
in May following. The survey was accepted and the grant
confirmed June 14, 1738. Proprietors' meetings were held
in Boston until 1753. On the 26th and 27th of September
in that year a meeting was held in the town, at which time
the name Peterborough first appears on the proprietors'
records. It is probable that it was named in honor of
Charles Mordaunt, Earl of Peterborough. No permanent
settlements were made in this town until about the year
1749, although several attempts had previously been made,
and some land cleared.
The settlement of the province line in 1741 decided the
town to be within the limits of New Hampshire. Being
within the limits of the Masonian proprietors' claim, a set-
tlement with them became necessary, and means were used
which resulted in procuring a quitclaim to all the territory
in town but 3,400 acres.
Peterborough was incorporated Jan. 17, 1760, "to have
continuance for two years only;" it was, however, re-
chartered in April, 1762, to continue until disallowed by
the king.
Jan. 29, 1789, a small tract of land was severed from the
south-east corner of the town, and annexed to Temple.
A nearly full list of Revolutionary soldiers may be found
in the History of Peterborough, by Dr. A. Smith. I find,
credited to the town, in addition to that list, James Moor,
entered Feb. 15, 1777, dismissed December, 1781, First
N. H. regiment. Lieut. John Taggart was in Capt. Isaac
Farwell's company at Bunker Hill, and was killed at Ticon-
deroga July 7, 1777. It will also be seen from the following
papers that Daniel Russell claimed to be of Peterborough
in 1780.
A portion of this town was taken off, and with other
PETERBOROUGH. 175
tracts incorporated into the town of Greenfield June 15,
179'-
Peterborough is a manufacturing town, and because of
its water-power is a prosperous community.
[8-210] \_Petition for help to build a jFort.~\
To his Excellency Binning Wentworth Esq r Capt. Gen 1 &
Govern' In chief in and over his Maj s Province of New
Hampshire, and to the Hon 1 his Maj s council & house of
Representatives : assembled att Portsmouth.
The humble address & Petition, of the Inhabitants of Peter-
borough so called
Humbly sheweth
That by the Providence of God, we are Settled under yo r
happy Government, & propose to take Sanctuary under yo r
Protection, & to do our utmost in Subjecting our Selves to your
authority, upon every emergency ; and account that w r e have
Just reason so to do, from your Care & Clemency to other new
Settlemen' 8 ; and Considering the present dangerous situation of
Affairs, we have been useing some means for our Safety &
Defence against the Heathen, in raising one Considerable Gar-
rison, in the South part of the Town, of pretty Large Dimen-
sions, with Square Logs, Twelve Inches thick, as the bearer can
more fully Informe. And we design to raise another more
Large & nearer the Center Contiguous to our Meeting house,
where it will best suite, that will accomodate the most of the
Inhabitants : but this we fier to undertake of our Selves upon
the accomp 1 of the great Expence it will amount to, we having
laid out we may Say, all our Substance in Improving our Land
for bread, corn & Hay, to this purpose* we have both Dedicated
our time & money. So that we Stand in need of help to build
& Erect this Intended ffort as well as assistance to Defend it
when thus built, and both with yo r Excellency & Hon rs Con-
currence & assistance: ffor if we Should break up that are
Barriers to the Towns below us, that is Dunstable & Townend,
they should be as much Expos'd as we now are, so that it
would be their safety as well as our own if we be Encourag'd
to continue.
May it therefore Please Yo r Excellency & Hon™ to Consider
the Premises, & think what a ruining tiling it would be to yo r
Petitioners if our time strength & substance should be lost, &
this valucable Settlem 1 breake up ; that has been bless'd with
Such Success, as non Such for the time, the Loss would not
176
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
be made up in Some years, if ever in our time. The preven-
tion of which we Esteem, is in Yo r Excellency & Hon" power;
not that we would presume to Direct, not being skill'd in Pub-
lick affairs, the good Governmen' that Providence hath Bless'd
us with, you being our Patrons; But our present necessity &
future fears obliges us to Supplicate for help from you, in whose
power it is to Commiserate such as we fier to be, not that we
are under any Slavish fler, for if we obtain our necessitous
Demands, your Countenance & aid, we resolve to Continue
here & by the Divine assistance acquit our Selves in the cause
of our lives & Interest like men while life is granted : now not
only Confiding, but Depending on yo r Excellency & Hon"
Compliance to our necessitous request, Yo r Petitioners as in
duty bound shall ever Pray.
Harvey
Hugh Willson
Thomas Morison
Jonath" Morison
John Swan
John Swan Ju r
william wallas
Jeremah Swan
John Smith
Samuel Wallas
Thomas Davison
John Davison
William Smith
William mCay
John Graham
John Stuard
Charles mCay
David wallas
Will" 1 mitchell
Isaac mitchell
Will™ Nay
Joseph Caldwell
John Taggart
James mitchell
Samuel Stinson
James Stinson
Hugh
Thomas Bogle
Joseph Bogle
John Farguson
William Richey
Gustavus Swan
[8-212] [Petition of yohn Sullivan relative to Rev, yohn
Morrison : addressed to the Governor and Council.]
Humbly Shews That at the present Session of the General
Court a Petition was Drawn up by your memorialist at the re-
quest of Said Inhabitants and afterward Signed by a majority
of them, Setting forth that m r John Morison was Some years
Since ordained to the work of the Ministry in Said Town &
that Since his ordination he had been guilty various Times of
profane Swearing Drunkenness & other Lew d wicked & Disor-
derly practices Quite unbecoming the Christian & Especially the
ministerial Character & praying that they might be Set at Lib-
erty to ordain & Support another minister & be Exempted
from paying Towards the Support & maintainance of a minis-
ter whose Life & conversation was a Scandal to the profession
— which petition being preferred a hearing was granted by the
Honourable House of Representatives for trying and Deter-
mining the Same on the third Day of the Sitting of the General
Court after the fifteenth Day of January next & being Sent up
PETERBOROUGH. 177
to the Honourable Board for Concurrence was Dismissed upon
a Supposition (as your memorialist was Informed) That it was
a matter more proper for the Spiritual Courts — But your me-
morialist Humbly apprehends that if the fact had been more
fully Stated & understood your Excellency & Honours would
have thought Quite Differently of the matter: for the aforesaid
Inhabitants did at first prefer a Petition to a Certain Presbitery
for Removing the said Morrison & a Committee from the Pres-
bitery was appointed for hearing the matter who after the hear-
ing Restored him to his former Standing after a Suspension of
Ten Sabbaths by way of penance for the following Crimes
which they Acknowledged they found him guilty of as appears
by a Copy of their proceedings herewith exhibited — viz firstly
Intemperance at Col° Hollands, 2dly Intemperance at the
House of John Taggart. 3dly profane Swearing in all of which
the Committee were unanimous that he was guilty. 4thly pro-
fane Swearing proved by one witness. 5thly Immodest Deport-
ment at John Taggarts Evident by his own Confession. 6thly
Immodest behaviour to Elizabeth Miller proved by one Wit-
ness. 7thly Immodest & obscene Discourse proved by one
Witness. Sthly Immodest Conversation & Deportment proved
to the Satisfaction of the whole Committee : Now your Memo-
rialist humbly apprehends that Either of those Charges which
the Committee Acknowledged were fully proved would alone
have been Sufficient Cause for Deprivation by the Canon Law
as appears by woods Institute 41. 3 d Institute 204. 2 d Roll:
Abridgement 222. 6th Report 14: nth Report 49 & 98 Ho-
barts Reports 243 & many other Authorities in point but this
Committee Notwithstanding the Law was So Express Restored
him to his former Standing and the Inhabitants can have no
Redress but from the Legislative Authority of the Government
whose province alone it is to Redress So Intolerable a Griev-
ance & no other power Either Civil or Ecclesiastical in this
Government can Dissolve the Contract between a Minister &
his people — And Surely your Excellency and Honours must
be Sensible That Though a Presbitery may Restore a Minister
To his Standing yet they can by no means Reconcile the minds
of a people to a profane Drunken & Debauched Minister nor
Can they look upon themselves as Injoying their Religious Lib-
erties while they are Compellable To Support Such a person
in the Ministry nor while they are oblidged to Rest Easv with
the Judgment & Determination of a Spiritual Committee whose
Judgment was Directly against the first principles of that Law
by which they pretended to Act. wherefore Inasmuch as the
Said Inhabitants are thus aggrieved & having no remedy but
from the General Court your memorialist in behalf of Said Pe-
titioners Humbly prays that a hearing may be granted on the
14
I78 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
former Petitions & then your Excellency & Honours will un-
doubtedly be Convinced that the Said Petitioners have been
greatly aggrieved as well at the Determination of the Said
Committee as at the Conduct of the Said Morrison which is
the only .Reason of their Troubling your Excellency & Honours
with this matter, from which grievance if your Excellency &
Honours in your great Clemency & goodness will please to
grant them relief by Reconsidering that vote for Dismissing the
former Petition, & granting them a Day for hearing thereon
the Said Petitioners will Ever Pray
December 19th 1771
Jn° Sullivan in behalf of & attorney to Said
Petitioners
[Mr. Morrison relinquished his connection with the so-
ciety in March, 1772. — Ed.]
.[8-214]
Extracts from the Minutes of the Rev d Presby y of Boston met
at Petersburg}! June 18 th 1771
Committee Members present
Ministers Mess" David M c Gregore John Huston J Will-
iams
Elders Mess 1 " 8 Sam 1 Fisher — D Moor — Sam 1 Morrison
Thursd y June 20 th Met according to adjournment
Memb rs as above — opened with Prayer
The Committee proceeded respecting the Articles of Charge
& after a solemn & serious Examination of the Evidences do
give their Judgment as followeth
1 Charge Intemperance — At Stephen Hollands Esqr Unani-
mously agreed that M r Morrison is found guilty of this charge
2 Charge Intemperance at John Taggarts of Petersburgh
unanimously agreed though this Article is not so highly aggra-
vated as the first charge yet the committee find him guilty of
Intemperance
3 d Charge Profane swearing the committee are unanimously-
agreed that this charge is also sufficiently proved
4 Charge Profane swearing In this Charge a Single evi-
dence appeard and for the Reasons offered the committee saw
fit to indulge the evidence not to swear
5 Charge Buying a poor mans vote Tho there was some
inexpediency yet nothing unlawful and consequently nothing
censurable
6th Charge Immodest conversation and Deportment
PETERBOROUGH. 1 79
I st Article respecting Agnes Mitchel not proved
2 Instance of immodest Deportment at John Taggarts July
1770 evident by his own confession
3 d Article of Immodest Behaviour in respect of Elisabeth
Miller her testimony being Single It is the Judgement of the
Committee the two last instances would amount to a full proof
of the Charge but as they are Supported only by one witness
the Evidence come short of Judicial proof
4 th Upon the fourth Article of Charge the two Evidences to
witt Stone & Wilson being sworn declared nothing that
amounted to the shadow of a proof —
5 — That supposing M r Morrison told the story as the Evi-
dence upon oath declared the Committee are Unanimous that
considering Circumstances it was unbecoming ministerial grav-
ity but as it is supported only by one Evidence not sufficiently
proved —
6 — Upon this Article from the Character of William Gil-
chrest as well as from his Evidence being wholly unsupported
by any corroborating Circumstances the Committee are Unani-
mous that they can give very little Weight to his Testimony —
7 — Upon the seventh Article the Committee thought proper
to sett aside the only Evidence that was produced
8 — Upon the eighth Article the Committee are Unanimous
that the evidences viz John Mitchel and his Wife being sworn
declared nothing to support the Charge —
9 — Unanimously agreed that this Article if made evident is
an instance of immodesty but is not juridically proved —
10 th Article supported by no Evidence
II th Article supported by no evidence —
12 th Article supported by no evidence
13 & 14 th Articles supported by no Evidence — John Dicks
not appearing —
15 th Article respecting immodest Conversation & Deportment
the Committee unanimously find him guilty —
7 th Charge Baptizing a Child contrary to our Constitution —
With regard to Baptising the Child this Committee think that
there is nothing to support the s (1 Charge —
Upon the Whole it is the Committees Judgment that in a
Number of Articles tho not supported by such Proof as the
Gospel requires yet some of them are attended with such Cir-
cumstances as render the facts very suspicious — they would
therefore in the bowels of Christ earnestly intreat the Rev d M r
Morrison by every consideration that is weighty with impartial
strictness to animadvert on his Conduct not only in the instances
that have been juridically proved but also in those suspected
instances &, as far as he is conscious of Guilt, to endeavour to
humble himself in the dust before a Heart searching & holy
l80 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
God & to fly speedily to the Blood & righteousness of Jesus
Christ for pardon & cleansing —
And with respect to the agrieved the Committee would be
free to advise them with like earnestness as it is a very critical
Time in Peterburgh to take heed to their spirits & while they
are justly offended at their Ministers Crimes to beware of a
spirit of Bitterness or personal hatred
The Presbytery further unanimously Voted on a Complex
View of the whole case that M r Morrison be suspended for Ten
sabbaths from his Ministerial Work or from all acts of Office
that He appear at the end of the s d Ten sabbaths before the
Presb 7 The time & place of the meeting of which is to be duly
notify'd to Him and likewise to the People that both Pie & the
People by Commissioners it is expected shall appear before s d
session of Presb y who will then proceed with M r Alorrison re-
proving him or otherwise as matters shall then appear to them —
Further that this committee shall use their best endeavours with
the next session of this Presb 7 to meet at Oakham the Week
after next that the Pulpit of Petersburgh be supplied as much
as they possibly can during the time of this suspension without
any additional Charge to the s d People —
Simon Williams Presb 7 Clerk —
a true Copy
[8-213] [Action of Presbytery, August, 1771^
Voted — that M r Morrison be restored to full standing with
this Presb y
Voted — that M r Morrison be restored to the exercise of his
Ministry in Petersburgh
Voted unanimously — that the Rev d M r M c Gregore be ap-
pointed to write a Letter to the People of Petersburgh suited to
their Particular Circumstances & in particular recommending
to them a punctual Attendance on the stated Administration in
their own Parish
S Williams Presb^ Clerk
dated August 29 th 1771
a true Copy
[8-215 is another long document by John Sullivan, rela-
tive to the matter, dated December 30, 1771. — Ed.]
PETERBOROUGH. l8l
[8-216] [Petition of William Scott relative to Bounties:
addressed to the Geizeral Assembly, 1777. ~\
. Humbly Sheweth. —
That whereas your Petitioner is appointed by his Excellency
General Washington to raise a Company in a Reg 1 of Rangers,
of which Col 1 Guest of Virginia is Commander and your Peti-
tioner not being allowed by Orders to give more than the Con-
tinental Bounty, when other Soldiers in this State are intitled
to Twenty pounds over and above that which greatly retards the
Progress of Inlisting.
Therefore your Petitioner humbly beggs your Honors to take
this Matter under Consideration and give me an equal Chance
with other Officers in the State by granting the Same Bounty
to Rangers, as given to the Soldiers inlisting in the Service of
this State : and your Petitioner as in Duty bound Shall ever
pray.
Will m Scott
Peterborough March 8 th 1777
[8-219] \_Relative to the Town's £hiota of Soldiers, 1779 '•]
To The Hon blc Committee of Safety for the State of New
Hampshire
May it Please Your Hon™ —
Whereas by Resolution of Congress Dated the 15 th of March
AD 1779. Ordering returnes to be made of all Officers & Sol-
diers inlisted into the 16 Additional Battalions, and whereas
this Town hath in the Service of the United States, (and inlist-
ed for three Years and During the Warr) Twenty four Men
And Upwards which is Ten More than Our Proportion of the
S8 Battalions, Therefore we begg to be Credited for those Men
and Considered in future, so that we may Not At Present be
Obliged to make up the Proportion of Other Towns who are
delinquent —
We are & Shall be Ever ready to furnish our Proportions &
Make Such Allowances to the Men returned for this Town as
Shall be Ordered Or Thought Equitable —
Permit us to Recommend The Bearer Cap 1 William Scott to
Your Favours, and are Gen 1 Most Respectfully Your most H l
Serv*
David Steel Cap*
in Behalf of Malitia Off*
Sam 1 Cunningham
in Behalf of Select Men
Peterborough July 23 d 1779 —
1 82 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[R. 3-1 1 1] [Relative to Major Robert Wilson. .]
To the Hon ble Council & Assembly sitting at Exeter for the
State of New Hampshire.
Gentlemen as Major R. Willson was by your authority Call-
ed upon to Join the Militia at Still Water under the Command
of Gen 1 Whipple & not attending according to order these may
certify to y r Honors that his family was much indisposed at that
time
William Smith J. P.
Peterborough Feb ry 10 th 177S
[In R. 3-1 10 Robert Willson stated that he went as soon
as he could leave his family, joined the army, and was with
it at the time of the " Conquest of General Burgoine and his
army." — Ed.]
£R. 3-1 1 2] [Daniel RusselVs Statement. ~\
State of New Hampshire
To the Great and Honourable Counsel and House of Repre-
sentatives of s d State Convened at Portsmouth
The petition of Daniel Russell Humbly sheweth that your
Petitioner was Disabled in the Service of the united states to
earn his support and for his Releaf was enrol'd for Half pay By
the Honorable Court Last June which pay Does not support
him as there has been no act for making up Depreciation to a
pentioner. * * *
Peterborough October the 9 th 1780
Daniel Russell
[Daniel Russell was on the invalid pension-roll in 1788
and 1789. — Ed.]
[R. 3-1 13] [Relative to John Halfpen?iyJ\
Peterborough 17 th February 17S3.
This may Certifie to all to whome it may consern that John
Halfpenny hath not Received any Bounty from the town of Pe-
terborough since the Contest Began Between Grate Brittan and
America
asserted by William Smith ) Select
Samuel Gregg ) men
I PETERBOROUGH. 1 83
[K. 3-1 14] [Soldiers' Orders ^\
to the Hon bIe John Taylor Gilman Esq r Treasurer
Sir please to pay to L* Mathevv Walis the whole of the wages
due to me for serving six months in the Melitia of the state of
New hampshire and all other money that is my due and this
shall be your discharge from me
Peterb October the 29 1 7S4
Amos Spafford
[Other orders to pay wages to Matthew Wallace were as
follows :
William Darrah, Oct. 9. 1784, Col. Cilley's Reg't.
Randal McAllaster, Oct. 7, 1784, Col. Jackson's Reg't.
James Taggart, Dec. 13, 1784, " "
John Swan, Jan. 22, 1785, " "
Serg't Samuel Mitchell, Jan. 13, 1785, Col. Jackson's
Reg't, ordered his to be paid to Josiah Munroe. — Ed.]
£R. 3-1 19] \_Petition of John Young, Soldier* 1785.]
To the General Assembly of the State of New Hampshire
The Petition of John Young of Peterborough
Shews That your Petitioner Serv d a Campaign at Rhodeiland
in the Regm' Commanded by Lieu 1 Col° Peabody as Surgeon in
the year 1778 and your Petitioner being informed the Gen 1 as-
sembly have made allowance to officers in that Regiment of
Depreciation and Interest of their pay he therefore Prays that
An allowance may be made to him for the same according to
the Capacity in which he serv d
Dated at Peterborough Aug* 20 th 1 7S5
John Young
£8-220] [Return of Ratable Polls, 1783.']
State of New Hampshire Hillsborough ss
In Obediance to a precept directed to us the Subscribers Se-
lectmen for the town of Peterborough for A D 17S3 Directing
us to make a return to the generl Assembly at their next Ses-
sion the N° Polls of 21 years and upwards paying poll taxes by
themselves viz male polls in the town aforesaid do make return
I84 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
of 133 as aforesaid as witness our hands Peterborough Decem-
ber 9th day Anno Domini 1783
John Young ) o 1 *.
^U, c .° - 1 belectmen
Thomas Stewart J
[Sworn to before William Smith, Justice of the Peace. —
Ed.]
[8-221] \_Relative to John Morrisvn^ etc., 1783.']
State of New Hampshire.
Peterborough May 14 th , 1783.
To the Hon ble General Court of New Hampshire, to be holders
at Concord, the tenth Day of June 17S3.
We the Subscribers petition your Honours, that you would
grant John Mitchel Esq r of Charlestown South Carolina, and
M r Isaac Mitchel of the aforesaid Peterborough, a fair and Ju-
dicious Trial, in an old Action, that has long precided between
them and John Morrison, who was formerly a Minister in said
Peterborough, and who by the latest Account we had of him,
was a Captain of the British Forage at South Carolina, And We
your Petitioners as in Duty bound will ever pray &c
Kalso Gray Benj a Mitchel William Swan
Andrew Baley Thomas Turner Sam 1 Mitchel
John Swan Robert Morrison Isaiah Taylor
William Houston Adams Grag Abel Parker
Samuel Gordon William M c Nee Robert Gray
Samuel Houston William Robbe John Morrison
Matthew Gray Nathaniel Whitte- Robert Smith jun r
David Steel more Thomas Smith
Jn° Gray William Robbe jun r Thomas Davinson
John Morrison Jn° White John Taggart
Matthew Templeton James Cunningham W m M c Nee jun r
Samuel Treadwell John White James Miller
Thomas M r Clurg W m White Rob 1 Holms
Charles White Robert Willson
James Taggart Samuel Miller
[8-222] \_Petiiion of the Selectmen relative to yoJin Mor-
rison, Deserter : addressed to the General Court, 1783. ~]
We the subscribers Petition your Honours would take Notice
of John morrison Who was formerly a minister in the Town of
Peterborough in this State Who in the year 1775 Enlisted in
PETERBOROUGH. 1 85
the American Service as a Common Soldier And Deserted from
there to the British army Where we was Enform d that he Did
ns much harm, and he was Returnd Only as an absentee and
not as an Enemy and we Your Humble Petitioners Begs that
Your honours Would Consider him as an Enemy and have him
Return d Acording to Law and that his Estate may Be converted
to the Same Use as the Rest of our Enemies have Been
And We your Petitioners Begs that Your Honours Would
Grant A fair and Judicious trial Between John Mitchel Esq of
Charleston South Carolina and Mr Isaac Mitchel of Peterbor-
ough in this State in an old action that has Long Persided Be-
tween them and the aforesaid John Morrison Who By the ac-
ount we have of him is now in the British Service and in So
Doing your Petitioners Shall as in Duty Bound Ever Pray —
Dated at Peterborough in the State of New hampshire May
the 14 th 17S3
Alexander Robbe ) c ,
Th° Steuart \ Selectmen
[8-223] \_Petition of the Selectmen relative to setting- off*
the east part of the Town: addressed to the General
Assembly. ,]
Humbly shevveth,
that some time since they have been serv'd with aCoppy of a Pe-
tition Signed by some of the Inhabitants of Lyndborough pray-
ing that a Piece of land about one Mile wide may be taken off
the east side of said Peterborough & annexed to some land in
Lyndborough & be made a Parish as in Said Petition is Set
forth against which your Petitioners begs leave to remonstrate
& Shew that such a diminution of Peterborough will greatly
injure it. As the Town is only Six Miles square & a large-
Meeting House built near the Center of the Town to accommo-
date the Inhabitants as well the East side as the West & to take
off such a Valuable piece as the Petition pray'd will not fail to-
destroyour Center & Create much discontent & uneasiness with
the inhabitants in the West part of the Town Who will think it
hard to pay & travel in such an unequal manner as the must
should this Petition take place. Our Member in the Gen 1 Court
will prefer this our request who will be able further to show to-
your Hon" that the prayer of the said Petition is unreasonable
& will be very injurious if the same should be granted And we
think cannot Serve them For they must a long time be a Small
Parish & altho they may hold up that it is that they may have
the Gospel Preached among them it must appear that their real
1 86 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
desire is to pay no Ministereal Rates at all however they may
pretend otherwise. We rely on your Honors Justice and rest
assured that no alteration will be made in Consequence of said
petition And we as in duty bound shall ever pray —
Peterborough 14 th Octob r 1 784 —
Jn° young \
Charles Stuart > Selectmen
Tho 8 Steuart j
[See Lyndeborough papers, Vol. XII. — Ed.]
,[ 8-226] [Relative to setting off the east part of the Town.']
at a meeting held at Petersborrough on the 20 th of Sepf 1784
then Voted — to oppose the Petition lately prefer'd to the Gen-
eral] assembly of this State by a Number of Inhabtants in Lynd-
borro Praying for a Part of Petersb h to be taken off and Added
to a part of Lyndborrough to make a Parrish as in the S d Peti-
tion is mentioned — and that the Select n of Said Town remon-
strate against the Said Petition and that M r Mathew Wallace
Prefer the Same and use his Interest that the Prayer of Said Pe-
tition may not be Granted —
a True Coppy of the Vote Att 1 Sam 1 Cunningham
Clerk
[8-227] [Petition relative to setting off the east part of the
Town : addressed to the General Assembly. .]
Humbly Sheweth that a Number of the inhabitants of Lynd-
borough and Lyndborough Strip (So called) petitioned your
Excellency and lion's that they with a part of Peterborough and
Society land might be Sett off as a Parish in Consequence of
Said petition your Excellency and hon r s was pleased to ap-
point a Committee to view the Situation of the Several towns
and the tracts of land with the inhabitants thereof So petitioned
for that your Excellency and hon r s upon their report might be
able to Judge as to the Justice of Said petition &c according
to Said appointment Said Committee went upon the premises
as we your petitioners have Since heard but without giveing us
your petitioners any previous notice Neither had we any from
Said Committee nor from those persons which requested Said
Committee which we are able to verify therefore we your peti-
tioners by order and in behalf of the Town of Peterborough
pray your Excellency and hon r s that no part of Peterborough
PETERBOROUGH. 1 87
may be Sett oft* as a meeting house at great Expence is built near
the Center of Said town which at present is Compact and uni-
form and any part thereof being Cutt oft* will render it entirely
otherwise and will greatly discommode the peace of Said town,
and Settlement your Compliance will greatly oblige your Peti-
tioners and they as in duty bound will ever Pray
Peterborough January 21 th 17S5
Alexander Robbe")
Charles Stuart
John Young
thorn 8 Stuart
Selectmen
[See Lyndeborough papers, Vol. XII. — Ed.]
[8-224] [Petition for Authority to tax Non-Resident Lands:
addressed to the Council and House of Representatives.^
Humbly Sheweth —
That your Petetioners Labour under great Difficulty in the
Support of the Present warr, and Other Town Charges — That
said Charges are very Heavy many Roads and Large Propor-
tion of Bridges to Build & Maintain on the most publick roads
in said Town, That a very Large proportion of their Able
Body'd men have Inlisted, and Volentary gone into the Service
for the Defence of American Libertv, That your Petetioners
Labour under great Difficulty in geting Labourers being Ex-
treem Scarce to be got besides the Extraordinary Wages, which
many of your Petetioners are Obliged to pay That the Clearing
& Cultivating their new Lands is much Retarded by reason of
the Heavy part of the Publeck Charge that they are Obliged to
Bear For Their Mutual easement Your Petetioners Humbly
pray Your Honours that the None Resedented Lands in said
Town of Peterb may be Taxed (for a Longer or Shorter Term
as your Honnours may think best) that the Owners of Said Lands
may bear a part of the Publick Expence (in Defending them
from the Usurpation of Great Brittain) as said Lands Lye Un-
improved, & not in any Manner Cultivated & the Proprietors
Holding Said Lands at so High a price that it Discourages Ad-
ventures from purchasing & Settling them which we Apprehend
to be Unjust, Therefore your pctioners pray your Honours to
Cause the Select Men of Said Town to be Vested with & have
full power & Lawfull Authority to Assess & Rate the Owners
of Said None Resedented Lands and Cause the Said Lands to
be Subject to the payment of the Tax that your Honours may
think Equitable & Just — And whereas the Late Incorporation
188
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
of Said Town of Peterborough By His Late Excell cy Benning
Wentworth Esq 1 " Did Cause your petetioncrs to Hold their an-
nual Meeting on the first Tuesday of January and your petetion-
ers Think the Holding of Said Annual Meeting is to great Dis-
advantage to your Petef 3 Therefore Your Petetioners pray your
Honours to Alter the Time for Holding Said Annual Meet ? to
some day in the Month of March as your Honours Shall think
best — And Your Petetioners as in Duty Bound will Ever Pray
William miller
James miller
Joseph Hammill
Neal Hammill
John Willson
Hugh Willson
James Willson
Samuel willson
John miller
James Templeton
Matthew Templeton
Willam Spear
Jn° Mitch el
David Ames
Will m Moor
Sam 11 Hogg
william Scott
Thomas Cunning-
ham
William M c Nee
Sam 1 Mitchel
William Smith
David Steel
Sam 1 Cunningham
William Robbe
John Gi'agg Jun r
James Cunningham
Robert Willson
Alexander Robbe
Joth* Blanchard
John Gregg
Sam 11 Gregg
James Taggert
Abraham Holms
John Young
[8-229] [Petition of the Select?nen relative to a School: ad-
dressed to the General Court, 77 88. ~\
Humbly sheweth. —
That the said Town of Peterborough have ever discovered an
inclination to promote the education of youth and for this pur-
pose have every year raised a large sum of money which has
been always appropriated for that purpose — That these Schools
have generally been kept by persons well qualified for the in-
struction of youth & frequently by persons of a liberal education
But that it has been thought most convenient in times past
that three or four schools should be kept during certain Seasons
of the year and of course there have been times when no School
has been kept — That in Sep r 1 7S7 a Bill was found against
your petitioners for one months neglect of keeping such a Gram-
mar School as the laws now in force require — your petitioners
upon Shewing all the Circumstances at the Court of General
Sessions of the peace for the County of Hillsborough humbly
hoped that the fine often pounds for such offences might be
dispensed with and that the prosecution might be discontinued
with your petitioners paying Costs — And the said Justices have
continued the said Indictment for consideration
Your petitioners therefore humbly pray that your Honours
would be pleased to order that the said Indictment be no fur-
r i
J PETERBOROUGH. 1 89
i - !
ther prosecuted if no Judg' is yet rendered thereon and if ren-
dered that the said fine may be remitted —
Jeremiah Smith in behalf of the
Select men of Peterborough
[The prayer of the petition was granted June 13, 1788. —
Ed.]
[8-230] \_Petition of Sarson Belcher, of Boston, relative to
some lots of Land : addressed to the General Court.~\
Humbly shews Sarson Belcher of Boston in the Common-
wealth of Massachusetts Esquire that in June 173S a Grant of
the township of Peterborough in said State was made to certain
persons by name by the then General Court of Massachusetts
And that the proprietors of Mason's patent in 1748 released to
said Grantees their right to said Township So that the said
Grantees acquired as they supposed a complete title to said
Township — that the said Grantees or proprietors of said Town-
ship purchased a Book for recording their proceedings, in
which the same were from time to time entered And likewise
the Copies of the proceedings of the General Court of Massa-
chusetts relative to the first granting said Township — most of
which are attested by the proper Officers tho' the same at this
period of time is difficult to be proved by reason of the Records
of Massachusetts from the year 1737 to the year 1746 being con-
sumed by fire whereby Authenticated Copies cannot be ob-
tained And the Copy of the Order for calling the first Proprie-
tor's meeting is not attested by any Person & the Warrants or
Notifications are not upon record — that your Petitioner by Pur-
chase from the said Grantees has a good title to two lots in said
Township namely Lots Number 40 & 102 but by reason of the
foregoing defects in the said Proprietor's Book your Petitioner
cannot trace or establish his title thereto with that Precision
which the Law requires in Case of disputes And no remedy
can be had but from the Legislature of New Hampshire —
Your Petitioner therefore humbly prays your Honours that
you would establish by law the proceedings Sl records of said
Proprietors in their Book recorded so far as they respect lots
Number forty & One hundred & two in said Township And
that the said Book notwithstanding any defects therein may be
legal & sufficient evidence in Case of any dispute relative to the
said lots —
And as in duty bound your Petitioner will ever pray —
Jeremiah Smith Arty to the said
Sarson Belcher
Charlestown Sep* 27 th 17S7
I9O EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[In H. of Rep., Sept. 27, 1787, the matter came up, and
was postponed to the next session.— Ed.]
[8-231] ^Petition of sundry Inhabitants of Peterborough to
be set off: addressed to the Senate and House of Repre-
sentatives, iygo.~\
Humbly sheweth, that your petitioners are at such a great
Distance from the Meeting house in said Peterborough and great
part of the road very Rough ; that they cannot attend the pub-
lic worship without very great inconveniency and difficulty —
and provided Your honnours shall see fit to grant the prayer of
a Number of the Inhabitants of Lyndeborough, the Inhabitants
of Lyndeborough Gore, and a part of the Inhabitants of the So-
ciety — (whose prayer is now before your Honours for an incor-
poration into a Town) we think if we might be annexed with
them we should be much better accommodated, without any
considerable damage to the Town of Peterborough — wherefore
we pray Your Honours that we may be incorporated with the
above mentioned Petitioners agreable to the boundaries set forth
in the petition of the Inhabitants of the west part of Lyndebo h
and as in duty bound your petitioners will ever pray
Peterborough May 26 th 1 790
Jon a Ballard
Isaac Foster
Nehemiah Holt
Charls Cowal
The following live within the limits Petitioned for, but have
not signed on either side.
Nath 1 Batcheldor Phineas Lund Hugh M c Adams
Simon Law Ezra Dutton Benjamin Burrows
William Holt Jun r William Thompson Thomas Pringel
Noah Lawrance John Thompson
Widow Balch William M c Adams
[See Lyndeborough papers, Vol. XII, p. 528. — Ed.]
PIERMONT
The township was granted, Nov. 6, 1764, to the Hon.
John Temple and others, in sixty-three shares. Of the
PIERMONT. I9I
grantees twelve bore the title of " Honorable," nine had
military titles, and twenty-eight that of Wk Esquire."
Settlements were made, about the year 1768, by Daniel
Tyler, Levi Root, and Ebenezer White. (See " Historical
Sketches," by Rev. Grant Powers.) David Tyler, with his
wife and son Jonathan, moved there from Lebanon, Conn.,,
the same year, and settled.
By the return of the selectmen in 1775 it appears that die-
population numbered 168, of whom fifteen were in the army.
For settlement of the town boundaries, see Vol. XI, p. 730.
By an act passed Jan. 15, 1787, Thomas Clark, Daniel
Clark, Jonathan Herbert, and Asa Boynton, with their
estates, were severed from Piermont and annexed to Went-
worth. The same territory was severed from Wentworth.
and annexed to Piermont, July 1, 1819.
[9-1]
These notify the Proprietors or Grantees of the Township of
Piermont in the Province that ye Day appointed by the Charter
for the first meeting of the Proprietors is on the 24 th Day of this
Instant Jan ry and the Place appointed there for is the Court
House in Portsm at three o Clock in the Afternoon When &
where it is pi'oposed to Choose all Proper officers for Said
Township & to agree upon & Vote a method for Laying out the
S d Land in Lotts & ca & to Vote Some method for raising money
therefor & to do any other thing authorized by Charter to be
done for the Benefit of S (1 Propriety —
In Pursuance of the authority in the Said Charter Granted —
Portsm Jan y iS th 1765 —
[See Vol. VII, p. 56.— Ed.]
[9—2] [ Committee appointed to obtain Arms and Ammuni-
tion, 1776.]
To Cap* Jonathan Chandler one of the Selectmen of y e town
of Piermont In Grafton Count v In the Colony of Newhamp-
shire, Whereas You are this Day Chosen and Appointed an
Agent to wait upon the General Assembly of this Colony Now
Sitting at Exeter in S d Colony, in order to lay Before the As-
sembly the Distressed State of S' 1 Town in regard to y e Advice
received yesterday from Canada, viz that y e Continental forces
were Drove from their posts By the Kings troops, as far as to-
I92 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
S* Johns, and Supposed that our forces would not be Able to
Maintain that place many Days, and upon that place Being
Evacuated by our forces, We must Very Soon Expect to feel \
the fatal Consequence of y e Incursion of our Northern Enemies
with y e Kings troops, and as our Circumstances on Account of
Arms & Ammunition render us unable for to make any Defence
against them ; these are therefore to Direct and order You to
Supplicate the Assembly to Interpose in our Behalf in this
time of Danger and Distress, In Affording to us a Competency
of fire arms and Ammunition Equal to our present Need, as at
present we are unable to raise Money In any measure propor-
tionable to y e Expence, Shewing the Assembly the Importance
of Maintaining this part of y e Country from falling into the
hands of the Enemy, as it is an open Door into the whole
Country and of Necessity is a matter of y e last Consequence to
y e Adjacent Colonies, You will also Inform the Hon ble Assem-
bly that Whatever of y e Arms is retained by any person Shall
be paid for, and also what of y e Ammunition is retain d Besides
what is made use of in our Defence Shall be Accounted for by
S d Town ; You will also Shew the Assembly the absolute need
of A Considerable force Being Sent into these parts to With-
stand the force of y e Enemy if our forces are Obliged to resign
y e Fort at S 1 Johns into the Enemys hands ; You are also here-
by Impowered by us the Subscribers to Give Such Security as
Shall be required of You for Such arms and Ammunition in
Behalf of y e town of Piermont, holding for firm what by You
Shall be So done in the above written Affair.
As by order of us
Dated Piermont John Patterson ") Select men
June 26 th A : D : 1776 — John W^eed > for the town
Joseph Webb J of Piermont
[The town was granted thirty pounds of powder, July
2, 1776.— Ed.]
[9-6] [Petition for Abatement of Taxes, 178 J. ~\
To the Hon ble General Assembly of y e State of Newhamp-
shire the Petition of y e Subscribers Select men of the Town of
Piermont in Grafton County Humbly shevveth that although
there hath heretofore Subsisted some Disputes and Difficulties
betwixt the State & s d Town with respect to Jurisdiction as
has been the Case of many Towns in these Parts on the New-
hampshire Grants; whereby our affairs are greatly perplexed
and imbarressed ; and many have been the Demands of the
PIERMONT. 193
I
State on s d Town for Arrearages of Rates for Years back ; and
neglect of furnishing our Quota of men for y e Continental Army
(&c to which the Town, perhaps have not paid that attention
which they ought to have done ; and being now sensible of
having our affairs settled ; we would represent to your Hon™
that besides our inability (there being not moveable Estate in
s d Town sufficient to satisfy y e present Demands &c) we have
Reason to Suppose that we are wrongfully assessed ; and that
, we have to pay a much larger Tax than many other Towns, in
proportion as their List exceeds ours as might easily be made
j to appear as likewise that we have not been Creddited for what
f monies have been paid by s d Town into y e Treasury, or for our
Quota of Men and y e expences we have been at, during the
late Contest; which if allowed ; as we think in justice it ought
to be we should not be so much in Arearages as is now sup-
posed ; we have therefore sent as exact an Ace 1 of the several
Lists of s d Town from y e Year 1779 as we Could get to y e pres-
ent and likewise an ace' of y e Several Expenditures, In the
Defence of the Frontiers In y e late Contest; in order to be
accepted, praying, that y e matter might be taken into your Con-
sideration ; and make such abatements, and grant such Relief
as in your Wisdom you shall think Just and Right; with which
we perswade ourselves, y e people will cheafully Submit ; and
your Petitioners ; as in Duty bound shall ever pray.
Piermont Nov r 17S3
Jonathan Chandler")
Hez h Foord V Select Men
Samuel Root J
[Inventory of Polls a?id Estates, 1780 <& if8i.~\
An Inventory of y e Polls & ratable estate of y e Town of Pier-
mont for years 17S0 & 17S1.
1780 1781
No. of Polls 40 50
No. acres Tillage Land 212 200
No. acres Mowing Land 218 210
No. acres Pasture Land 147 150
No. of Horses & Mares 4 y r old 17 20
No. of Oxen 39 33
No. of Cows 55 60
No. of 3 y r olds o 9
No. of 2 y r olds 9 7
No. of 1 y r olds 7 24
Sum of total value of buildings and unimproved land belonging
to y e inhabitants -^343 £$<&
15
194 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
value of Non-residents Lands .£2984 £2774
List £81.19.0
H. Foord ~\ gelect
Jonathan Chandler >
John Richards y e 2 d ) men
[R. 3-120] [Soldier's Order. ~\
Piermont 10 th February 17S6.
Sir Please to pay Major Azariah Webb all the wages due to
me as a soldier in Capt 1 Websters Comp y when keeping guards
at Haverhill & Newbury, & his receipt shall be a full discharge
from your humble ser'
John T. Gilman Esq William Maxfield
£0.1 1. 10
[R. 3-121]
[This document is Silvanus Sawyer's order, same date
and amount. — Ed.]
[9-8] [Relative to the Town's Quota of Soldiers. .]
Humbly Sheweth the Inhabitants of the Town of Piermont
by their Agent, that the s d Inhabitants having satisfied and paid
unto Two Several persons a bounty for their Services in the
Continental Army being a part of their Quota of the Continental
Army agreeable to the directions of the then Gener 1 Court of
this State, which through their inattention have never been re-
turn'd, Wherefore they pray your Honors to Grant them the
favour, through your "kind Indulgence, to have Credit for the
said men, on the Extent Issued against the Select men of Said
Town — And your petitioner as in duty Will Ever pray —
Azariah webb
Portsmouth February 10, 1786
[9~9] [Report of Committee on foregoing.~\
The Committee to whom was refer'd the petition of Azariah
Webb Esq r in behalf of the Town of Piermont beg leave to re-
port as their opinion that said Town be Credited for three Con-
tinental Soldiers viz William Lurvey of Warners Reg' David
Ladd & Josiah Blodget both of Whitcombs Corps — the sum of
Sixty pounds each with the interest thereof on Settlement of
r
PIERMONT. 195
the amount Charged against Said Town of Piermont for defi-
ciency of Soldiers — and that the Treasurer take Order accord-
ingly—
Feb y 25 th 17S6.
Submitted p r Nath 1 Peabody for the Committee —
[9-10] [Sundry Persons to be annexed to Wentworth. ~\
At a legal meeting held in the Town of Wentworth 28 th of
August AD 1786 Voted unanimously that Thomas Clark, Asa
Boynton, Daniel Clark, and Jonathan Herbert, should have
liberty of polling off from Piermont to this Town —
Joseph Cooper') Select Men
John Akin V of Said
Benj a Cotton ) Wentworth
[See introduction. — Ed.]
[9— 11] [Soldier's Certificate.^
Ifebuary 23 : 1786
this may Sartify that I have Recvd of the town of Piermont
V twenty Pounds as a hier to answer for a Soldier for said town
during the war as I never Recvd any hier from any other town
and that I Served During the war as by Return may appear
Josiah Blogget
[9-14] [Petition for a Ferry, iy88.~\
To the Honorable the Senate ; and House of Representatives
in General Court to be convened at Exeter on the 24 th Day
of Instant Dec r the Petition of Parker Stevens —
Humbly shews that, the subscriber an Inhabitant of the Town
of Piermont in the State of Newhampshire liveth in the North-
erly Part of s d Piermont near to Connecticut River, and within
about two Hundred Rods South of the Place where the great
Country Road comes into the River Road — and that there is
'/ frequently occasion of People's passing accross s d River into
the State of Vermont, when travelling into the western Country
towards the Western part of Vermont as also ; from thence into
this State ; and that there is a convenient place for keeping a
Ferry over. s d River near where your Petitioner lives, and that
[9-16] [Petition for Authority to tax Non-Resident Lands,
1789.]
The Select Men of Piermont — Humbly Shew, That the sev-
eral public roads, leading thro' said Piermont are very lengthy,
and have been exceedingly expensive to the Inhabitants not
only on that account, but by reason of the peculiarly wet land
thro* which they of necessity pass ; to make and support which
they have under many difficulties for years past, patiently strug-
gled — that tho' they are cheerfully willing to do what belongs
to them in this respect as members of society, yet they feel a re-
luctance to labor for the benefit of the nonresident owners of
land without any compensation or assistance from them ; Your
petitioners therefore humbly pray your Honors that the said
Inhabitants may be reliev'd by being allow'd a tax on the un-
improved lands of the said nonresident owners in said Piermont
of three pence per acre or one penny per acre for the term of
three years for the purpose of making and repairing public
highways and bridges in said Piermont to be assess'd and col-
I96 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
the Chife and great travelling Road, into s d western Parts; is
nearly opposite, on the other side of the river thereto ; and that
there is no Ferry established, where People may pass, without
travelling several miles up or down s d River, and returning
back on y e other side ; about as far ; to get into s d western Road,
&c and that your Petitioner has been requested by many Per-
sons to keep a Ferry ; some where near to the Place afors d and
at a Town meeting on the 15 th Day of instant Dec r obtained a
vote, of the Inhabitants, (without any opposition ;) for keeping
the same &c —
Wherefore your Petitioner prays your Honors, to make him
a Grant of a Ferry across said River with the exclusive Privi-
lege extending up s d River ; as far Haverhill Line ; and down
s d River as far as to y e Ferry granted to Col : Azariah Webb of
s d Piermont, not infringing upon s d Grant, in the whole; con-
taining about y e Distance of two miles —
And your Petitioner as in Duty bound shall ever pray
Piermont Dec r 18 th 17SS — Parker Stevens
Isaac Patterson
Jonathan Chandler [■ Select men
William Tarlton
[In H. of Rep., Jan. 20, 1789, the petition was granted.
—Ed.]
I !
PITTSFIELD. 197
lected in such way as in your wisdom may seem best — And
your petitioners, as in duty bound shall ever pray &c —
Dated Decern 1 * 16, 17S9 —
f Davenport Phelps ) Selectmen of said
Hezekiah foord j Piermont
[The foregoing petition was granted to the extent of one
penny per acre, Jan. 21, 1790. — Ed.]
[9-17] [Petition for the Annexation of an Island to the
Town, ifQ4.~\
To y e .hon ble Senate and house of Representatives of y e State of
New ham psh ire —
The Petition of y e subscribers, Select men for the Town of
Piermont in y e County of Grafton Humbly Sheweth ; that there
is a certain Island in Connecticut River, lying contiguous to
y e Town of s d Piermont, betwixt s d Town, and y e Town of
Bradford, State of Vermont — and is Numbr d 15 in the Range
of Meadow lots, Drawn to y e Right of Wiseman Clagget, con-
taining about Twelve Acres of good improved land And also a
profitable Ferry, Across s d River (now occupied by John Mc-
Duffie) within y e limits of said Town —
Which said Island, & Ferry, have never as yet been taken
into y e List of Rateable Estate in s d Piermont, Sec —
Your Petitioners, therefore humbly pray y r Hon" to pass an
Act, that y e said Island and Ferry may be Annexed to y e Town
of Piermont, afore d so that they may be taken into y e Invoice of
s d Town, to be taxed according to y e usual method of Taxation,
in this State, or in some other way grant relief, and your Peti-
tioner as in Duty bound shall ever pray &c
Piermont May 2S th 1794
Samuel Crook ") Select
Joseph Foord j men
In H. of Rep., June 10, 1794, the foregoing petition was
granted. — Ed.]
PITTSFIELD.
The township was taken from Chichester and incorporated
by its present name, March 27, 1782. John Cram was au-
I98 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
thorized to call the first meeting of the inhabitants to choose
town officers, etc. (See Vol. XI. pp. 357 to 360.)
By an act approved July 3, 1841, school-district No. 6 in
Epsom and a school-district in this town were united and
incorporated into one district by the name of Republican
School-District.
A fire-district was established July 1, 1870. The town
lies on Suncook river, and owes its present prosperity
largely to the use of that stream for manufacturing pur-
poses.
[9-18] [Return of Ratable Polls, J/Sj."]
Pittsfield December 29 th Day 17S3
Per Suant to us the Subscribers by a Presept from the general
assembly of this State to make an Exact Return of all the male
Pools of twenty one years old and upwards Paying a Pole tax
for them Selves we have Cerfully taken the Exact number and
finde in Said Pittsfield one Hundred and twenty Ratable Pols
Paying a Pool tax — 120
Jonathan Perkins ) Select men
James Drake ) for Pittsfield
Rockingham Ss Pittsfield the 24 Day of December 17S3 then
the above named Jonathan Pirkins and James Drake Personaly
appearing and made Solom oath to the truth of the above ac-
ount by them Subscribed —
before me John Cram Justic Peace
[R. 3-122] [Ebenezer Bean's Petition, 1791*']
To the Honb'le the Senate and house of Representatives of the
State of New Hampshire in General Court convened
Humbly Shews Ebenezer Bean of Pittsfield. That on the nine-
teenth of September 1777 he was unfortunately and grievously
wounded in the foot while fighting in the cause of his Country —
That your petitioner cannot perform the necessary labor for the
gaining of a subsistence for himself and family by reason of his
lameness which is more particularly distressing in the winter
season when his exertions are the more necessary for his fam-
ily's support. ♦.*..,..*
Ebenezer Bean
PLAINFIELD. I99
PLAINFIELD.
The township was granted, August 14, 1761, to Benjamin
Hutchins and fifty-nine others, the most of whom were from
Connecticut. The first proprietors' meeting was held in
Plainfield, in that state, from which this town derived its
name. Settlements were made in 1764, and the town had
a population of 308 in 1775.
By an act passed June 23, 1780, the easterly portion of
this town and the westerly portion of Grantham were united,
and erected into a parish for parochial purposes, by the
name of Meriden. (See Vol. XII, p. 59.) In 1856, July 12,
the Grantham portion of this parish was annexed to Plain-
field. Kimball Union Academy, incorporated June 16,
1813, and endowed with a permanent fund of $40,000 by
Hon. Daniel Kimball, is located in what was the old Meri-
den parish, and is an educational institution of much value
to the state.
[9-32] [Inventory of I773.~\
Province of Newhampshire Cheshire ss. plainfield april 21'*
Anno Dom 1773 —
The Inventory of the Ratable Estate In the town of plainfield
Taken and made out By us the Select men of Sd plainfield
The Whole of the Ratable Estate In plainfield amounts to Sev-
enty five pounds fourteen Shillings Including Sixty one polls
Sum total £75 : 14^ —
Ben Kimball John Stevens
Benjamin Chapman Amos Stafford
[Sworn to before Francis Smith, justice of the peace. — Ed.]
\_Capt. RusselVs Return : fro?n Gen. Chase's Paper s.~\
A Return of Cap 1 Russels Company with the Name Annexed-
Plainfield May 3 rd 1777—
Cap Josiah Russel Cor Benj" Cutler Stutely Stafford
S art Maj John Ste- Cor Timothy Cory Beni n Gallop
vens Drum Benj" Chap- Ziba Robberts
Serg* Dannel Kim- man Rob* Scott
ball fifer Sam 1 Farefield
200
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Jo a Parker
Job Cotton
Elexandrew Petterew
Serg' Ebenezer James Wilson
Jinne Walter Blois
the above Out from y e 3 d of may to 20 th June in y e whole 48
Days Cald 45 do No. 14
Ensn Isaac Main Nites Cutler
Ser Thomas West Oliver Addams
Cor Silas Gates Laben Hall
Dannel Short Sam 1 Williams
the above out from y* 3 d of May to 18 th June 46 Days Calld 43
Days No. 11
Cor David Gitchel Perla Robberts William Wilson
Littlefleld Nash Duthan Kingsbury Joseph Kimball
Jo n Parker Jr
the above in y e Service from y e 3 d of may to y e 13 th of June 39
Days Calld 40 Days No. 7
Abel Stone Out untill y e 20: of May 17 Days
Josiah Russel out from y e 3 d of May to y e 14 th 11 Days
[Plainfield Me?i at Saj-atoga. Ibid p. £>j\]
Lieu* Reuben Jerold Return of the men that march from
Plainfield to Sallatogue in Col Chases Regiment In Sep' 26
1777 with their names
Names Days in Service
Lieut Reuben Jerold 35
Serg* Elias Gates
Serg* William Cutler
Corp 1 Nathan Gates
Corp 1 Nathaniel Stafford
Drumm 1 " Benj n Chapman
John Andres
Timothy Vinson
James Walker
Return of Bagsasre Horses
3 2
32
16
3 2
3 2
3 2
3 2
3 2
Names
Isaac Williams
Wilard Smith
Laban Hall
Christopher Hall
Zadoc Bloss
Rulaf Spalding
Stutley Stafford
Josiah Rushel
Lieu 4 Reuben Jerold
Rulaf Spanieling
William Cutler
Hezekiah french
Christopher Hall
Job Cotton
Capt Josiah Rushel himself and horse
Charles Spauldi ng dito
Abel Stafford dito
Horse 9 davs
" 15
" 15
*5
Days in Service
3 2
3 2
3 2
3 2
3 2
7
1
6 days each
2 " 44
n ii it
PLAINFIELD.
20 1
Reuben Jerold paid feridges for 21 men and 6 horses going out
a /3 each 6s :gd
Returning home for feridges for 17 men 6 horses 5 :o,
Reuben Jerold paid for Rum dealt out to the above men 5
quarts and 1 pint £3 : 6 : o
[Gen. Chase's Papers, p. 120.]
A Return of the Quota of Continental men Belonging To
Plainfield in Co 1 Jon th Chases Redgerment
Regt. Enlisted
Capt Enl.
Date
Time Enl.
in
under
for
Eiry Evans
Col Sillv
Farewell
May 1777
3 vears
Wilder Willard*
Dito "
House
Dito
Dito
Negro Darock
k
u
u
it
Lemuel Dean
ii
it
u
14
Ebenezer Ginnef
a
May 1778
t(
Jon th How
Laban Hall
u
tt
&«
t(
a
9 months
Walter Blois
a
it
u
Wills Kimball
Peabody
June
7 months
John avvlsworth
a
(4
it
Joseph Kingsbury
Bedel
May 1776
is now
among the Engians or Regelors Prisonei
Josiah Russell Cap*
[Ibid, p. 136] Cap* Russels Return
A Return of the men of Plainfield in the Continental servis
Wilder Willard Darick a Negro Lemuel Dean in Cap* Houses
Comp
Eire Evens in Cap* fairwell Comp
Jese Roberts Ziba Roberts Simeon Short Ephraim Dunlap
Ebenezer Re in Connectticut Servis
M r Hall — with maj r waite
Asa Briggs — in the Bay State
Sept. 4,1777-
[Ibid, p. 96]
Plainfield October y c 26 th 1 77S
S r these may Inform You that the people appeared to Be In-
animous in the choice of Daniel Kimball for an Ensign in Cap*
Josiah Russclls company and suppose he ought to Be Commis-
sioned
these from your Humble Ser* Francis Smith Maj r
To Col Jonathan Chase
•Belonged in Hartford , enlisted for Plain ft eld.
f Belonged in New Grantham, enlisted for Plainfield.
202
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[Ibid, p. 31] [Petition J~ro??i Inhabitants of Meritten."]
To his Honour Jonathan Chase Esq Col of y c 1st Regiment in
the 3 d Briggade in the State of Vermont.
The Petition of y e Soldiery and Alarm Men of the Parish of
Meriden humbly Sheweth.
That your Petitioners being allways ready to obey military
orders we with y e more boldness address your Honour on y e
following subject.
That your Petitioners being contiguously situated and desir-
ous as much as in us lies to promote Military skill and dissi-
pline are very desirous to form a Military Company in s d Parish
which when it is considered that Plainfield being very numer-
ous having upward of one hundred men of the trained band
N. Grantham very small not more than twenty-five and to
make a Company in this Parish makes it respectable and leaves
a large Company in Plainfield we hope that your Honour will
grant us our desire and issue orders accordingly — And your Pe-
titioners as in Duty bound shall ever Pray
Meriden April 30 th 17S1.
Charles Scott
W ,D Huntington
James Jenne
Eben r Jenne
Peter King
Isaac Williams
Timothy Scott
Eben r Brown
Phillip Hopkins
Simeon Adams
Walter Bloss
Abraham Roberts
Sample Gilkey
Samuel Pool Jur
Caleb Cotton
Tho s Howard
Phillip Spaulding
Alexander runalds
Asa Bates
John Kile
Phillip Jorden
Wilks Kimball
Ben" Kimball
Am mi Wilson
Squier Wilson
Elijah Gleason
Hodges Cutler
Lathrop Shiirtleff
Nathan Parkhurst
Oliver Adams
Parley Hughes
Zadok Bloss
Perly Roberts
Jesse Roberts
Simeon Pool
John Packard
Nathan Draper
Job Steven
Jabez Shapley
Ephraim Kile
Isaac Rice
Rulaf Spalding
Abel Stevens
John Stevens
Nathan Young
Daniel Kimball
Abel Stafford
Isaac Jenne
Ben. Cory
Jonathan Parkhurst
Joseph Kimball
Samuel Bloss
Thomas Gallup
Ziba Roberts
John Andrews
Eliphalet Adams
Lemuel Cotton
Champion Spalding
David Shapley
Benjamin Gorden
William Kile
Nath 1 Stafford
Joseph Spalding
[Ibid, p. 114] [J/eriden Company, 1781.']
We the Subscribers Inhabitants of the Parish of Meriden do
Voluntarily form ourselves into a Company of Militia which
PLAINFIELD.
203
Company shall be called and known by the name of y e Meriden
Company And we do pawn our words and Honours that we
will freely and chearfully submit to such officers as y e Major
part shall chuse
Meriden June y e 25 th 17S1
Nathan Young
Ziba Roberts
Eben r Jenne
Stephen Jinnings
James Jenne
Elijah Gleason
Job Stevens
Asa Bates
Simeon Short
Zadock Bloss
Hogges Cutler
Rulaf Spalding
Be 11 Jorden
Nathan Draper
Ebe 11 Bun-
Stephen Sq Pette-
crew
Sam 1 Fairfield
Isaac Rice
Jonathan Parkhurst John Stevens 3 d
Jesse Roberts Wi 11 Kile
John Andres
Stiles Muncel
Perley Roberts
Thomas Gallop
Oliver Adams
Eliphalet Miner
Be 11 Bugbee
Elijah Johnson
Simeon Pool
Wi 11 Huntington
Isaac Williams
Walter Bloss
Sample Gilkey
Phillip Hopkins
Ebe r Clough
Daniel Kimball
Abel Stevens
Lemuel Cotton
Nathan Parkhurst
Thomas West
John Stevens Jur
Peter King
Be n Cory -
Sam 1 Pool Ju r
Theophilus Howard
Joseph Spalding
Abel Stafford
Eliphalet Adams
Parley Hews
Isaac Jenne
Philip Jorden
Sam 1 Eglestone
Na f . Stafford
Champion Spalding
Phillip Spalding
Na l Taylor
Robert Scott
Charles Scott
Na* Delano
Peter Bugbee
[Ibid, p. 162J
Plainfield Feb r 27 th 1781.
We whose Names are under Riten Do Volantarily Inlist our
Selves as Privit as Solders In Cap 1 Nelsons Comp to Escort
and gard on the Fruntteers Near Conne 4 River and Ingage to
obey our officers according to the Rule of war till the first Day
of April Next if not sooner discharged as witness our hands
Ephraim Dunlap James Kelsy Daniel Kimball
Job Williams Steward how
n
[R. 3-123] \_Soldierf Orders.']
Plainfield, Sept. i 8t 1784.
Sir Please to pay the bearer the whole of my wages for ser-
vice in Cap' Steven's Company at W T est Point in 1784
Phillips Warren
£7.16.4
To the Treasurer of New Hampshire
204 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[R. 3-124]
State of New Hampshire Plainfield 24 April 17S5
To M r Josia Oilman Paymaster General for said state S r .
please to pay the Bearer hereof the wages due to me the sub-
scriber for going into the service of s d state three months and a
half to West Point in Cap* Abel Stevens Company in Col.
Nichols Regiment in the year 1780 and this order shall be your
Receipt for the same from your Humble Ser't
X8.19. June 14 Eben Joy
[9-33] [Sundry Inhabitants relative to Taxes : addressed to
the General Court, 178^^
Humbly shew,
Elisha Read, Andrew Tracy, Jonathan Stevens, Walter Weld,
David Allen Jabez Balding John 0»ting William Chote, Darius
Spalding Benjamin Jackson Daniel Earl, Benjamin Cole Dan-
iel Cole Moses Weld Daniel Hovey, Benj a Joy Jun r Ebenezer
Sabings Daniel Joy Jesse Heath Moses Brigham Philip Spald-
ing, Chapling Spalding, Gardner Dusting John Dusting Wal-
ter Smith John Spalding Barzilla Spalding James Freeman
Elisha Herick Rosil Minor Benjamin Joy Samuel Read Daniel
Freeman, David Perry Abel Benit Ebenezer Cole David
Steavens Abel Stone John Cole Daniel Robert Aaron Palmer,
Nathan Andrus Rufus Wheeler Elias Bingham & Cary all of
Plainfield & Cornish in the County of Cheshire and said State
— That your Petitioners have all removed into said Towns of
Plainfield & Cornish from other States in the Union since the
year 17S0 at which time many of them were under Twenty One
years of Age — that your petition" have paid all their taxes in
the several states whence they have removed up to the time of
their Removal — That the Selectmen of s' 1 Plainfield & Cornish
have nevertheless assessed your Petitioners for all the Taxes of
said Towns from the Commencement of the late War to the
present year, thereby compelling them to pay over again Taxes
for the years they had paid for before they came into this State
and obliging Parents to Pay Taxes for their Children ever since
they arrived to the Age of Ten years — That s d Selectmen have
further endeavored to compell those of your Petitioners who
have come of Age since they became Inhabitants of this State
to pay Taxes from the year 1777 when many of them were no
more than ten years old. —
Your Petitioners are ready chearfully to pay all their taxes
from the time they became inhabitants of their respective Towns
and humbly conceive the Conduct of said Selectmen to be fla-
grantly unjust & oppressive and opposed to every principle of
PLAINFIELD. 205
Equity. Wherefore they pray that your honors would be
pleased to take their hard Treatment under your wise Consid-
eration — that you would exempt them from paying Taxes to-
wards the support of a Government, to which at the Time they
ought to have been paid, they did not belong, and which can
serve only to ease those who have refused to pay their Taxes in
season ; or that your honors would take such other Order con-
cerning the Premises as in your wisdom shall seem meet, and
your Petition" as in Duty bound will every pray. &c
John Pickering for Petitioners
[9-35] [Petition for a Ferry : addressed to the General
Court, 1785.]
The petition of Joseph Kimball of Plainfield humbly Sheweth
that Your Petitioner hath been at the Expence of keeping a
ferry across Connecticut River in Plainfield for upwards of five
Years at y e mouth of water quecher River which ferry hath
been verey expensive to Your petitioner in providing boats to
Serve the publick for which he hath Rec d Little or no benefit,
and expecting that in some future time it may be some profit
wherefore your petitioner humbly prayeth that your Honours
may take his case into your wise Consideration and grant to
your petitioner the Exclusive right of a ferry begining at Lebe-
non South Line extending three miles down said River, to him
his heirs and assigns, and Your petitioner as in duty bound shall
ever pray
Joseph Kimbal
[In H. of Rep., Feb. 10, 1786, the foregoing petition, was
granted. — Ed.]
[9~3^] [ Ta* on Gov. Wentworth *s Right. ~\
Plainfield Dec r y e 10 th 1786 This may certify that the State
Tax against Bening Wentworths Right of Land in Plainfield
for y e years 1777, 1778, 1779, and 1780 amounts to three pounds
twelve Shilling and the county tax for y e above Years is three
Shillings & Eight pence
Att Sam 11 Fairfield Constable
Att David Perry \ Selectmen For
Charles Spalding j Plainfield
206
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[9-38] Petition for a Poll Parish, 1788 : addressed to the
General Cozirt.~\
The Petition of the subscribers inhabitants of the Towns
of Cornish and Plainfield, in the County of Cheshire in said
State, Humbly sheweth that the great diversity of Sentiments,
in matters of Religion, and the jaring opinions concerning the
most suitable place for Buildings for Religious worship, ren-
ders it impossible ever to effect such union in either of said
Towns, as to enable them happily to settle and maintain, the
Gospel Ministry amongst them with that harmony which ought
ever to reign in Religious Societies, without a Division of said
Towns into Parishes — and whereas the inhabitants of Different
Sentiments, are so intermixed in their sentiments that Parish
lines would not effect the desired purposes, Your petitioners
therefore pray the General Court, to grant to the subscribers,
with such others as may hereafter be disposed to join with them,
such privelidges and immunities of a Poll Parish as may enable
them to erect and maintain in proper repair a place of Publick
worship and to raise and apply Money for the Support of the
Ministry among them, and with such other privileges as may
be necessary for the well ordering of Parish affairs, — and as in
Duty bound shall ever pray —
Cornish November the I st AD 17S8.
Thomas Hall
Moody Hall
Abel Johnson
Nath 11 Huggins
Will m Ripley
James Ripley
Thomas Lewey
Jesse Johnson
David Read
Elisha Read
Sam 11 Read
Andrew Tracy
John Spaulding
Lovil Kimball
Elisha Herrick
Reuben Jerald
Josiah Stone
James Ladieu
John Whitten
Will" 1 Lewey
Moses Chase
Nairn m Chase
Jonathan Read
Eliphalet Kimball
Jun<
Moses Barrows
Moses Barrows Jun r
Nathan Hains
Daniel Cole
John Bartlet
David Smith
Hezekiah Fitch
Nathan Whiting
Benj n Read
John Lucas
Nath 11 Bartlet
Ja'mes Fitch
Samuel Fitch
Joseph Kinyon Jun r
Simon Blanchard
Samuel Bartlet
James Hunter
Joshua Woodward
Joel Hildreth
Walter Foss
Abel Stone
§amuel Mackres
Abel Stone Jun r
John Cady
Levi Stone
Daniel Freeman
Chester Chapman
Joseph Smith
Jabez Spicer
[In H. of Rep., Nov. 8, 1788, a hearing was ordered for
the next session. — Ed.]
r
PLAINFIELD. 2QJ
[9-39] \_Raiik of sundry Officers, 1788. ~\
Elias Cady first Lieut April y e 27 th 17S5, Capt May y e S th
1781 under Vermont
Jeremiah Spencer Capt April y e 27 th 17S5 in this State,
Capt May S — 1781 Vermont. Lt 1777 in this State
Joseph Smith Capt April y e 27 th 17S5 in this State, first Lt
Sep r y e 5 th 1775, in this State,
Jesse Willcocks Cap' April y e 27 th 17S5 in this State I st V
Sep r y e 5 th 1775 in this State Capt May 8 th 17S1 Vermont
Nathan Young Capt April y e 27 th 17S5 in this State, Ensign
May y e 8 th 1781 under Vermont —
Daniel Chase Capt April y e 27 th 17S5 in this State, Second
Lt Sep r 5 th 1775, first Lt Sep r " 19 th 1775 all of this State
John Cook Capt April y e 27 th 1785 in this State, Ensign May
ye j^th ijj$, Ensg July y e I st 1775 under Massach" 5
David Perry Capt April y e 27 th 1785 in this State, Second
Lt
May y e I st 1775, first Lt Dec r y e 2 d 1776 under Connecticut
John Qiiimby Capt April y e 27, 17S5 in this State
State of Newhamp r Plainfield Jan^ y e 15 th 1788
To his Excellency the President and the Hon ble the Council —
May it please Your Excellency and Honours I have called
on the Captains of the Several Companies of the fifteenth Regi-
ment of Militia to produce their Credentials in order to asser-
tain their Rank, which is as heretofore mentioned, The reason
of my making a Return in this manner I was adviz'd to it by
Gen 1 Chase and the other officers, therefore I hope to pardon'd
not makeing a Return in usual form
From Your most Obed' and Very Humble Servt
Joseph Kimbel Maj r C D
[9-40] [Relative to Service in Revolution.^
Humbly sheweth the Petition of Joseph Kimbal in behalf of
the Town of Plainfield that the s d Town was called on for Eight
men for the continental Service in the Year 1777 — which they
furnished and in the Year 1781, said Town was call'd on to
furnish Eight men more of which said Town furnished two
only one of which soon deserted the other served his time out
which was during the War, Your Petitioner would further add
that y e abovesaid Proportions were made by doomage, and that
on examining the invoices of said Town in Februarv 17S6 it
appeared that in y e year 1777 Plain fields proportion was four
men only, and as their is a large demand agt s d Town for defi-
ciency of men in y e Year 17S1 Your petitioner prays that their
I
208 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
overplus services done in 77, may be brought forward, and give
creadit on the deficiency for the Year Si or otherwise grant
such relief as Your Honors in their wisdom shall see cause to
direct, And Your petitioner as in duty bound shall ever pray
Joseph Kimbal in behalf of s d Town
[In H. of Rep., June, 1791, the matter was postponed to
the next session. — Ed.]
[9—42] \_Amos Stafford for Remuneration : addressed to the
Legislature, 1795.]
The Request of your Petitioner Humbly Sheweth that in the
Cours of the war with Great Brittain in obedience to the orders
of the Legeslator of the State of New-hampshire i did Lay my
Self out to obey their orders in assisting to Raise men and aid
them in their Mach to and from tyconderago with Provision &
Pack hose and Raising thee three years men I did advance
money in the Cause to a Considerable amount and Spent my
own time as one of the Committe of Safety for the town of
Plainfield and in the time when Royaltown in Vermont was
burnt by indians I did by order of Generl Bellows Given mee
by Capt Peter Page and Co 11 Abel walker of Charlestown to
open my house and Stores and Delt out to A Large amount in
Provision and hors Keeping for four days and four Nights I
Nor my wife Could not get Leasur time to ondress to take Rest
for our house was full both Night and Day of men going up or
Returning back all which I did in obedience to the orders of
the State and Commanding officers of the State for the Support
of the Cause then Depending and furthermore in obedience to
the Request of the State sent out to the towns to send in theire
accounts in order for A Settlement with the Unighted States
Congrees I did Exhibbit my account to Sanford Kingsbery Esq r
of Clarmont who was appointed to Receive the accounts of
these towns along hear and he Exepted them as Sufficienly au-
thenticated, and as I have allwavs paid my Proportion of tax
to the State that has been Called for of Mee and as I have Not
Received any pay for all the afore Cited Sevice and perform-
ances I pray this Honourable Boddy to Consider the Cause of
the poor Petitioner Now humbly Requesting his part of the
Ballanc Struck in favour of this State with the United States
Congress as a Compensation for all my trouble as you in your
wisdom may think Proper and as in duty Bound Shall Ever
Pray-
As your humble Pittioner —
Amos Stafford
PLAINFIELD. 209
C9~43] [Relative to Glebe Land, 1795 .]
The Petition of the Select Men of Plainfield Humbly Shew-
eth, That there is two Rites of Land Called the Glebe and
Propagating Rites Lying in s d Town which at Present are no
Benefit to the Town and Do not answer the End and Design of
Their Appropriation —
Therefore your Petitioners Prayer is that your Honours vvou'd
Take the Matter under your wise Consideration & Grant the
Town the Priviledge of Converting Either or both of the before-
mentioned Rites or the use of Either or both of them for the
Support of the Gospel Ministry in s d Town or otherwise Grant,
as your Honours in your wisdon Shall See fit —
Dated at Plainfield November Y e 25 th AD 1795
Zadok Bloss ) Select Men of
Chester Chapman j Plainfield \
[9-44] [Kimball and Gallup for Authority to construct
Locks : addressed to the General Court, 1796.']
Humbly Sheweth the petition of Joseph Kimball & Peres
Gallop that there are falls in Connecticut River oposite the
Town of Plainfield known by the name Waterqueche falls
which Renders the Navigation impasable with Boats which is
very Injurious to those that do Business on said River therefore
Your petitioners pray Your Honours to take the matter under
Your Wise consideration and Grant your petitioners the Exclu-
sive Right of Locking s d falls, so that the Same be made Navi-
gable for Boats &c under Such Regulations and Restrictions as
Your Honours in Your Wisdom shall see cause to direct and
Your petitioners as in duty bound shall ever pray
Concord Dec r i 8t 1796
Joseph Kimball
Perez Gallup
[Petition granted Dec. 2, 1796.]
[9-45] \_Por Lncorporation of a Library, 1/97."]
Humbly Sheweth Daniel Kimball that he with a number of
others in the Parish of Meriden purchased a Collection of Books
for a Social Library but find it necessary to be incorporated in
order to realize the advantages Contemplated — Therefore pray
16
2IO EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
that they may be incorporated with such privileges as are usu
ally Granted in Such Cases, and as in Duty bound will pray
Nov r 27 th 1797
Dan 1 Kimball for the purchasers
[The library was incorporated by the name of Meriden
Library, Dec. 11, 1797. — Ed.]
PLAISTOW.
The township was formerly a part of Haverhill, Mass.,
and was included in the purchase of Nov., 1642, from the
Indians. After the establishment of the province line in
174-1, it was called the Haverhill District until it was incor-
porated, Feb. 28, 1749, by the name " Plastow."
Sept. 3, 1767, the westerly half of the town was set off
and incorporated into " a Parish by the name of Atkinson,"
with all the powers and privileges of any town in the prov-
ince.
By an act approved June 28, 183 1, a portion of the farm
of James George was severed from Kingston and annexed
to this town.
John Cooper of this town was in 1st N. H. Reg't. En-
tered April 27, 1778; discharged Dec. 31, 1781.
[9-19] [Relative to election of Representatives, 1774: ad-
dressed to H. of Rep. ]
Humbly shew The Subscribers, Freeholders in y e towns of
Plastovv & Hampstead & Parish of Atkinson in s d Province,
that a writ was duly Issued to y e Selectmen of y e s d Towns &
Parish to warn a meeting of y e Freeholders of s d Towns & Par-
ish qualified to vote in y e choice of a Representative at some
convenient time & Place, to chuse some fit Person to represent
them in y e General assembly for s d Province on y e first Thurs-
day in April last — that a meeting of y e s d Freeholders was by
y e s d Selectmen appointed to be held on y e Twentieighth day
of March last at m r Reuben Harrimans in s d Hampstead being
a Private House — when & where many of y° s d Freeholders
assembled & Proceeded to make such choice — that Nath 11 Pea-
body Esq. & capt Jon a Carlton were y e only candidates voted
for — that y° Moderator, after examining y e votes declared the
\
PLAISTOW.
211
s d Jon a Carlton was chosen by a Majority of Seven votes only
& return of s d writ was made accordingly that y e s d Carlton was
chosen. Now your Petitioners beg leave to shew to this Hon ble
Court, that Sundry Persons qualified & who would have voted
for y e 's d Peabody disliking y e place of Meeting or thinking their
vote would be received if Sent toy 6 Moderator, were absent at
that time — That Sundry others who were not qualified or Free-
holders, were admitted to & did vote for y e s d Jon a Carlton.
That they apprehend, if a fair meeting & Choice was made
in y e s d Towns & Parish, Nath 11 Peabody Esq. would have a
considerable Majority —
Wherefore your Petitioners humbly pray this Hon ble court
would Set aside y e s d Return & give them an opportunity fairly
to exercise one of their most valuable Priviledges & to come to
a fair choice & as in Duty bound shall ever pray &c a —
Plastow May 6 th 1774. —
Thomas follansbe
moses or d way
Edmund Hale
Peter Dow
william Gay
Richerd Cheney
samuel Dow
Benjamin Davis
John Tucker
Samuel Dow Jun r
Benj a Kimbell
Stephen Gile
Ezekiel Dow
Abraham Chase
Daniel Stevens
Jeuener
Joseph Smith
Bejamjmn Bly
Asaph Harriman
John Heath
Isaac Heath
Jonathan Heath
Ephraim Simmons
Jacob Heath
Moses Bradley
Nath" Kimball
Benj ft Hale
Nath Noyes
Asa Page
Stephen Page .
moses Page
James Page
James merrill
John Webster Jr
Benj a Stone
Joseph Knight
Daniel Poor Junr
Jona Poor
John Knight jur
Joseph french
Ebenezer knight
Joshua Knight
Enoch Noyes
Tho s Noyes
Richard Brown
Nath 11 Cogswell
Enoch Knight
John Dow
Benjamin Richards
Daniel Richards
Jesse Page
Benjamin Emery
John Ingalls
Stephen Dole
John Dole
Stephen Dole jun
Ezekiel Belknap
Samuel Little
Benj n Little Ju r
moses Little
John Harriman
Enoch Sawyer
Theophilus Goodwin
Josah Dow
Joshua Dow
John Bradly
Je r Gilman
James Noyes
Henry Hale
John Knight 3 d
Eliphalet Poor
Moses Belknap
Joseph Little
Ben Philbrick
Jeremiah Poor
Samuel Welch
Daniel Stevens
Benjamin petengill
Nathan Gile
Jesse Stevns
John Kimball
[In H. of Rep., May
D.]
9, 1774, the petition was dismissed.
212 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[9-20] [Relative to Hugh Potter, 1773 '.]
We your Humbel pettionars in behalf of the town of plastow
humbly Sheweth that one old hue potter an old Englandman
who Saith he was A Kings Solder in the Kings armey & a bout
twenty five years ago Come in to this town and was Seasnable
warned out acording to the Law of this province and is Now
be Come a towns Charge & hes ben for Sum time parst — to the
vallye of twelve pound L m we your humble pettitonars pray
you would take our Case under your Considerations and order
that for the futer the s d potter Shall be maintained by the prov-
ince or Countey a fore said and we your humble pettionars as
in Dutey bound Will Ever pray
Dated plastow August 2S 1 775
Daniel Stevens ) Select men
Ezekiel Gile j for Plastow
This petition dismist
L9-21] [Petition for a Settlement of Town Lines, 1778. .]
Humbly Shew the Subscribers Selectmen of the Town of
Plastow in the County of Rockingham, in behalf of the Inhabi-
tants of said Town — That in the year 1767 — an Act past the
general Court, erecting the westerly part of said Town, into a
New Parish & investing the same with all the Privileges of
other Towns, in the then Province, by the Name of Atkinson —
That afterwards viz 1 in the Year 176S, upon the Petition of
James White and Samuel Kimball & others — (whose Estates
were included within the Lines of Atkinson) to have Liberty to
poll off with their Estates to Plastow, the General Court passed
a vote in the following words, viz 1 " voted that two of the Pe-
titioners only viz 1 James White & Samuel Kimball have Lib-
erty to poll off from said Atkinson to Plastow aforesaid, with
their families and Estates, both real & personal, and shall here-
after be estimated taken and adjudged to be part of, and belong
to, the said Town of Plastow, and shall be adjudged liable and
subject to all Duties Taxes and orders of said Town, as much,
and in the same manner, as other Inhabitants of said Town, in
proportion to their Estates — saving that their future purchases
shall belong to the Town or Parish where they lay " — That
since that Time, the said Kimball has sold his said real Estate
and removed within the Line of Plastow, — That as the said
Vote is silent, with regard to the said real Estates after the De-
mise or removal of the said White and Kimball, since the said
Sale, Disputes have arisen between the said Town and Parish
[9-24] [Return of Ratable Polls, iy8j.~\
State of New Hamshir Rocking" 1
In Pursuant of orders Recivcd from the Gennariel assembly
of s d State wee Have taken the exact number of male Polls of
twenty one years of age and upward Paying for themselves a
PLATSTOW. 213
concerning the Right of taxing the Estate sold, and the posses-
sor thereof — That sometimes the said Town, and sometimes
the said Parish have taxed them and collected the Tax — that
they have endeavoured to settle the matter among themselves
but without Effect —
That a Trial at Law for the Determination thereof would be
attended with great Expence and perhaps not be satisfactorily
decisive ; and might be only productive of Animosity and Ma-
levolence between the Inhabitants of said Town and Parish,
pernicious at any Time, but more especially at this difficult and
unsettled State of public Affairs —
Wherefore they pray Your Honours Consideration of the
Matter — and that you would Determine and order to which the
said Estate and the possessor thereof shall in future belong — as
well as the Estate of the said White when it shall fall into other
hands And Y r Petitioners will gladly acquiesce in the Deter-
mination — And ever pray &c — )
Joseph Welch ) Selectmen of
David Bryant j Plastow
[In H. of Rep., Feb. 20, 1778, a hearing was ordered for
the next session. — Ed.]
I
[9~ 2 3] \_Capt. Gile's Resig?iation.~\
Plastow August 3 d 17S0
Hon* Sir
As I was appointed by the General Assembly of this State to
take the Command of a Company of men raised by this State
to be stationed at Piscataqua Harbour for the Defence of Ports-
mouth These are to inform your Honour that as my affairs are
now Circumstanced I must beg Liberty to Resign the Trust re-
posed in me
I am with great Respect Your
Honr 9 most Obedt and Humb 1 Ser\ rt
Ezekiel Gile
Honr bl Meshech Weare Esq r
President of y e State of New Hampsh r
214 # EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Poll tax with in the town of Plastow the amount of which is
Ninty
Plastow December y e 9 — 1783
Ezekiel Gile ) Selectmen for
John White j Plastow
[Sworn to before Peter Clement, Justice of the Peace.
—Ed.]
[R. 3-125] \_yohn Pollard's Petition, Soldier, iy6o.~\
The Humble Petition of John Pollard of the town of Plastow
in the province of New hampshir Humbly Petitioneth that
Where as my Sone Hezekiah Pollard was a Listed Soldier in
the year past in. the Province Service under the Comand of
Capt Todd and Came home Sick of which Sickness he Died
I Would beg the Honourable Comittee to take the matter in
Consideration and allow the Cost of the Docktr Bill and the
Nurses Which is herein Inclosed and you will Greatly Ablige
your Humble petitioner John Pollard
Plastow January 29 th 1760
[He was allowed £11, 17, 6, new tenor. — Ed.]
[R. 3-1252 is an itemized account of Dr. Stephen Huse
for attending John Pollard. — Ed.]
[R. 3-126] [In a petition dated June 2, 1763, John Haz-
zen,as attorney for Matthew Bryant of Plaistow, stated that
said Bryant " was an Inlisted Soldier In Cap 1 John Hazzens
Comp a , In the year 1760, under the Command of Col° John
Goffe In the New Hampshire Regiment, & that after being
dismissed from said Regim 1 Came home, the second day
after I was taken sick with the small pox & lay sixty days."
He asked for an allowance, and was paid ^8 sterling. — Ed.]
[R. 3-128] [Soldier's Order. ,]
Plastow April 20 th 177S
S r please to pay Capt Benj. Kimball all the money Due to
me for Rations as an officer in Capt Pages Company in Col°
Drakes Regiment and this order shall be your full Discharge
from your Humble Servant —
To Col°Nico 8 Gilman
Nathaniel Little Ensign
PLAISTOW. 215
fR. 3-129] [Soldier's Receipt.]
Received of the Selectmen of Plastovv three Pound thirteen
shillings three pence it being supplies for my familie whilce I
wase in the Continentel army for the town of Plastow
Received by mee witness my hand
his
Witness John X Cooper
mark
Daniel Aver Ezekiel Gile
lodgd Octo 16 1783
[R. 3-130] An account of what y e Town of Plastow Paid y e
Wife of Sam 11 Heath at sundy Times
17S0. December Paid in Beef £72.18.0
1781 March Paid on account of wood 210. 0.0
1782 March Equil to 34 Bushel of Ind n Corn
Paid Equil to 7 Bushel of Ind u Corn
$2S2.lS.O
Jn° Ayer ~) Select men
Nat Little [■ for
David Bryent ) Plastow
[R. 3-131] [Mrs. Sarah Heath's Receipt.]
Plastow Jan y y e I st 1783
This May Certify to the Honnareble Committey on Clames
that I Sarah Heath Wife to Samuel Heath a Solder in the Con-
tenneltel armey for said town of Plastow have Rec d of s d town
Six Pound thirteen shillings Lawful money it Being for Sup-
plyes for me and Fameley the year Past
her
I say Rec d by me Sarah X heath
mark
Test Moses Bradley James Smith
![R. 3-132] [Enlistment.']
Plastow August y e 3 — 17S2
We the Subscribers Do Enlist our selves as Soldiers to sarve
.at Portsmouth untill the Larst Day of December next unless
sooner Discharged and We Promis Submishion and obedience
2l6 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
to Capt Titus Saltor and any other officer that shall be set over
us by him or any other Lawfull authority a Cording to the
Rules and Reglations of the Contanentel Armey
Trustram Ordway
Jesse Davies
The above named Jesse Davis Reed my orders to march
ameaditely aftair the date of his in List men and to Poot him
sel under the Command as mentioned above att —
Joseph Welch major
Enlisted y e 3 d joined y e 16 absented y e i* Dec with 6 others
by leave from L* Ackerman house burn'd &c
[R. 3-133] [Petition of fesse Davis, Soldier, who ivas re-
turned as a Deserter. ~\
The petetion of Jesse Davis of Plastow in the County of
Rockingham in said State Humbly Sheweth — That in pursu-
ance of Orders issued from the Honb 1 committee of Safety of
said State, your Hon" petitioner on the 3 d day of Aug 1 ADom
17S2. did inlist himself as a Soldier to serve, in the Company
raised for the defence of Piscataqua Harbour, from the said 3 d
of August untill the last day of December then next follow-
ing—
That the petitioner, soon after his inlisting did March and
actually Join the said Company, which was Commanded by
Capt Titus Salter, where your Hon 1 " 8 petitioner did continue to
perform his duty as a Soldier, to the best of his ability untill
the first day of said December, during which time he with his
fellow Soldiers were Necessitated to sustain very considerable
hardships, with respect to provision, some times having none,
at other times but scanty allowance, or else that which was-
damaged & not fit to be eaten by Man !
That on the said i 8t of December your petetioner had not for
Eight days then last past received half a days allowance of
bread, and their meat had been extreamly bad —
That the Soldiers frequently petetioned their officers more
especially Lieut Akerman, as the Capt was some times absent,
to procure them some redress, but to no purpose ; as the officers
observed that no pains had been wanting on their part, but the
provisions were not to be had —
And here your Honors Special Candor is humbly requested
while the petetioner is under the Necessity of mentioning some
disagreable Circumstances — in hopes also that Lieut Akerman,
on recollection, will not take umbrage at the rehersal — That
r
PLAISTOW. 217
Lieut Akerman gave the petetioner and others to understand,
J that although it was not his business to give the Soldiers a
proper discharge yet he was fully of opinion that their further
Services were not needed, and that no inconvenience would
arise from their retireing from the Service ; in the full belief ot
which your petetioner with several others left the Company —
That the petetioner being Sick, naked, & hungry, return'd to
Plastow in hopes of a little relief, but to his further distress
j* found that the house at which he had lived for some time before
he inlisted, and in which was all the little property he owned,
had but few days before been burn'd with fire and he left with-
Iout a farthing, which was the second unfortunate instance of
the like nature that had occured to him within a little more
than one year —
In this distressed Situation, being but little more than sixteen
years of age, and his father having in the Service of his Country
been most inhumanly bayoneted to death by the British troops,
the petetioner must have enevitably perished, not having a far-
thing of patrimony, or any relation of ability to give him relief,
had it not been for some persons whose circumstances are far
from being affluent who generously consented to afford him
some assistance and wait till the petetinor should receive his
wages from the public —
That on application for said wages your petetinor was in-
form'd he was return'd a Deserter, and no wages due to him
which gave him the first Idea of his having Transgressed in the
affair —
Wherefore
Your Hon" petetionor Humbly prays this Honorable Court
to commiserate his distress'd Setuation, and in your Great wis-
dom and clemency grant that he may receive the full amount
of his pay for the time he was in the Service of his country, or
otherwise relieve him in such way as to your Hon 1 " 8 it shall
seem good and the petetinor as in duty bound will ever pray
Ac-
Jesse Davies
[Sworn to before Peter Clement, justice of the peace.—
Ed".]
We the Subscribers freeholders of the Town of Plastow hav-
ing viewed and Considered the foregoing petetion of Jesse
Davis, and being acquainted with him and with some of the
Circumstances mention'd &. set forth in his Petetion, do hereby
Certifie that it is our Opinion the said Davis is an honest sim-
ple well meaning young man, and that in general, from the
218
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
best information we have been able to Obtain, his petetion con-
tains a Just State of Facts —
Plaistow Dec r 6 th 1783 —
John Copp
David Stevens
Simeon Peaslee
Josaph colanes
Joshua Dow
Moses Harriman
Daniel Stevens
James Smith
Moses Bly
James Blye
Jo 8 Smith J Select men for
W m Bradly V Plastow
David Bryent j Year — 17S2
Moses Bartlet
Ezekiel Gile
Selectmen for
Plastow for 1783
Dn Joseph Har'iman
Asaph Hariman
Isaac Heath
Job Eaton
Ezekiel Dow
Leonard Harriman
John Heath
Benf Bly
John Harriman
[R- 3-134]
State of Newhamps 1 " In House of Representatives Dec r 26 th
*7 8 3
The Committee on the petition of Jesse Davis & all Similar
Matter, Report that Jesse Davis, Nathan Berry & Paul Clarke,
who are Returned Deserters by Capt Titus Salter on his Roll
for the year 1782, be paid for the full Time they were in the
Service Sign'd Nath 1 Folsom for the Committee which Report
being Read & Considered, Voted that it be Receiv'd & Ex-
cepted & that the President give order accordingly —
Sent up for Concurrence
John Dudley — Speaker
In Council the Same day read and Concurred
E Thompson Secy
£9-25] [Relative to Class for Representative, i?86.~]
State of New Hampshire Rockingham ss
This May Certerfy that at a leagel meeting held at the meet-
ing House in the Town of Plastow on Tuesday y e 21 Day of
November 17S6 after deliberating on the matter of haveing the
Towns of Hampstied Atkinson and Plastow Classed to Gether
in the Choise of Representitives for the futer it was put to Vote
and no person appeared to Vote for the same and being put to
1
PLAISTOW. 219
the Contirary Voted that the three towns afforesaid should not
be classed in the choice of a representee for the futtar as Wit-
ness my hand
David Stevens Town Clark
9-26] [ Vote of Town relative to Paper Money, 1786. ~\
State of Newhampshire Rockingham ss.
At a Leagel Meeting held at the Meeting House in the town
of Plastow on tuesday the 21 st Day of November A :D : 17S6
for the purpose of takeing under Consideration the plan for
makeing a paper Currencey a Greable to the Direction of the
Hon General Cort &c the said plan Being read and Considred
it was put to Vote to see if the town would except it — no per-
son Voted for to except s d plan and being put to the Conteraye
13 Persons Voted not to reseve s d plan and also Voted not to
make aney amendments or alterations &c —
Witness our hands
Jos Smith ~\ Selectmen
Jn° Ayer V for
Amos Sawyer ) Plastow
[See Atkinson papers, Vol. XI. — Ed.]
[9-27] \_Relative to Representative Class, iy86.~]
The petition of us the Subscribers Inhabitance of the towns
Plastow & Atkinson in Said State and Each man paying a poll
tax for him Self tharein humbly Sheweth that whereas the In-
habitance of hampstead have petitioned the general Court Set-
ting forth their Desire to Be annexed to the fore Said Towns
plastow & Atkinson in Sending a Representative to Represent
Said Towns at the general Court in Said State we your peti-
tioners Considering the Situation of the inhabitance of Said
Hampstead they Being unrepresented in Said general Court By
Reason of their Not having a Sufficiancy of polls for that pur-
pose and it Being Disconvenant for said Hampestead to Be
Classed with Any other Towns then those above mentioned for
the purpose aforesaid we therefore freely give our Consent too
and Desire you would annex Said Hampstead with Said plas-
tow and Atkinson & that those three Towns make But one
Class for Sending a Representative for the future and your pe-
tionars as in Duty Bound will ever pray
Jonathan Sawyer Moses Bly Samuel Dow «
Stephen Woodward Joseph Harriman John Dow
Christopher Clement John Kimball Benjamin Carleton
220
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
James Woodward
zebediah sargent
Thomas Hall
John Hall
Peter Harriman
Sam 1 Heath
John Herriman
moses Jackman
David Hariman
Reuben Gile
Salvenus Noyce
Nathaniel Little
Isaiah Johnson
James Noyes
John Bradley
Benjamin Davis
moses Simons
moses Harriman
John Kelly
John Stevens
Isaac Noyes
Jon a Kimball
Joseph Kimball
John Jeffers
Nat h Bradley
Jonathan Kimball
W m Bradly
Noah Jackman
Samuel Kimball
Joseph Welch
David Bryent
Samuel Harriman
William Ayer
Daniel Ayer
Wiliam farnam
Simons Follansbe
Joseph Adams
Moses Bartlet
Deniel Bartlet
Nathaniel Cheney
iun r
Nathaniel Cheney
Samuel Welch
Ezekeiel flandcrs
James Blye
Leonard Harriman
David Stevens
David Stevens Juner
Simon peaslee
Moses ordvvay
Ezekiel Dow
John Chase
Nathaneii Bartlet
Asa Kimball
Joseph Ayer
Job Eatton
Jesse Eaton
Benj a Blv
Jonathan Heath
Joshua Dow
Nath 1 Kimball
Chase Stevens
[See Vol. XI, p. 93.— Ed.]
[9— 2S] [Instructions to the Legislature : addressed to the
H. of Rep., 1786.]
Whereas the Good people of this State have for Some time
laboured under Grate difficualtes for want of a Sufriciantcv of
money to Carev on the Common business in S (i State — and also.
labouring under maney other Difficalteys which may be re-
moved to the Grate advantage of the Cytisons of S d State thare-
fore at a leagel town Metting held at the meeting House in the
town of Plastow on the 2S th of August 17S6 — on purpose to take
under Considration the Difficalteys as aftbresaid and praying
that the Same may be remved — Voted firstly to recommend to
the Hon be General Cort to make a Some of paper money for a
Curcullateing meadem for the benefit of this State &c 2 ly Voted
to recommend to s d Corte to have the infearor Corts in this State
put by for the futer as being unnesserey and ingereus to the
Commonwelth of this State 3 ly Voted to recommcd to S d Corte
that the Justices of the peace be impowered to try aney Case or
Causes that is now brot to the infearor Corts &c — 4 ly Voted to
recommed to s d Cort that if y e Excise on Spiritus likure must
be Continued to order and impower the Selectmen in thear re-
spective towns to collect the excise and return the same to the
PLAISTOW.
221
Trsurey of S d State 5 ly Voted to recommend to S d Cort to pass
an act to impower the town Clarks in thear respecttive towns
within this State to receive all Deeds within thear towns and
record the Same — 6 r Voted to recommend to s d Cort that the
Constabels within thear respecttive towns within this State may
be impowered to Serve aney and all precepts that Shall Come
to thear hands from Lawful athoriety 7 ly Voted that there be no
Deputy Shireff Within the State afors d for the filter
David Stevens Town Clark
J
£9-29] \_Petition in favor of foseph Welch-: addressed to
the President and Coimcil.~\
We the Subscribers being freeholders in y e Town of Plastow
in said County ; whereas Joseph Welch Esq r of said Town, has
been for upwards of Ten Years past an Officer in y e Regiment
in this place, as well as Justice of y c Peace in & for said Town &
County ; we understand that by the new arangement of Officers
that y e s d Welch has no appointment in either; we your hum-
ble petitioners look upon y e s d Welch as an useful member of
Society, & therefore pray that your Excellency with y e advise
& consent of y e Council would continue y e said Welch in y e
Office of Justice in & for said Town & County. And your
humble petitioners as in duty bound, will ever pray.
Jonathan Kimball Amos davis James Noyes
John Hall
Moses Davis
Isaiah Johnson
David Bryent
Samul Dow
Nathaniel Little
Th° Hall
Nath 11 Cheney
Sam 11 Heath
Leonard Harriman
Nathaniel Cheney in
r Timothy Noyes
Moses Harriman
John Tucker
John Harriman
Moses Bartlet
Simeon Peaslee
Moses Bly
Joshua Dow
Samuel Dow Ju r
James Bly
Samuel Kimball
Daniel Stevens
Benj a Bly
W m farnam
Jos Bradley
Joseph Harriman
Jn° Ayer
Chase Stevens
John Bradley
William Ayer
moses Jackman
Jonathan hath
Daniel Ayer
David Harriman
To 8 Kimball
Joseph Adams
Noah Jackman
1
Simons Follonsbe
Alexander Stevns
i
[9-30] [Relative to the Claims of Altai's Heirs, etc. : ad-
dressed to the Ge?ieral Court, iy86.~\
The Petition of us the Subscribers Inhabitants of the Town
of Plastow in the sate aforesaid Humbly Sheweth, That Where-
as at this Present time their is a great Commotion among the
People in said State Occationed (as we think) by Some Lead-
222
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
ing and Designing men in said State of New Hampshire afore-
said, and to Prevent many and great evils which we fear will
insue (unless Soon Prevented) we do Present this our Humble
Petition Praying your Honours to Enact the Following Arti-
cles (Viz) —
I st That you would not allow those Persons, Purchesers of
the Allen Claim So Call d any Part of their Claim within this
State—
2 ly That not any of those Persons that are Purchesers of the
said Allen Claim hold any Commission of Profit or Honour in
said State, for the Space of One year —
3 ly That the General Court take up the Matter Respecting of
the Clame of the Masonian Property (so Call d ) to Certain Lands
in this State as we Think their Title is not good & Valued and
that the said Certain Land Claimed by them be Converted to
the Use of said State —
4 ly That there be a Bank of Paper money made to Redeem
this State Notes, Certificates, &c —
5 ly That the General Court Petition Congress to Redeem the
Continental Paper Currency that is in the Treasury in the State
the same being more then was our Proportion —
1 6 l7 That the Ports and Harbers in this State be opened and a
Free Trade with all, Except the Refugees
Plastow June y e 2 d 17S6
1
John Hall
Nath 1 Kimball
Joshua Dow
Peter Harriman
David Bryent
Jn° Ayer
Simons Foilansbee
Joseph Ayer
Jonathan Kimball
William Ayer
Daniel Ayer
Stephen Heath
Joseph Adams
John Dow
Sam 1 Kimball
Samuel Dow
Nathaneil Bartlet
John Stevens
Aleander Stevens
Chase Stevens
Moses Bartlett
W m Farnham
Daniel Stevens
Moses Davis
John Chase
Benj a Davis
Nathaniel Little
Isaac Noyes
Moses Jackman
Jonathan Heath
John Harriman
Benj Bly
James Bly
Moses Bly
Joseph Kimball
Thomas Hall
John Bradlev
William Bradly
Nathaniel Bradley
Leonard Harriman
Moses Harriman
PLYMOUTH. ,
The township was granted, July 15, 1763^0 Joseph Blanch-
ard and sixty-one others, and contained a portion of the
present town of Hebron.
PLYMOUTH. 223
In 1764 Zachariah Parker, James Hobart, Stephen and
David Webster, and others from Hollis, settled in the town.
By an act passed June 15, 1792, the south-west portion
of the town was taken off, combined with a portion of Cock-
ermouth, now Groton, and incorporated into the town of
Hebron. A committee was appointed by the legislature,
Oct. 27, 1780, to settle the bounds of this and other towns
in Grafton county (see Vol. XI, p. 729), and their report,
which was accepted, took off a tract of land from the north
side of Plymouth, which the inhabitants considered as be-
longing to that town and petitioned to have restored, which
was done by an act passed June 21, 1793. The same act
also annexed to Plymouth some lots of land belonging to
Nathaniel Peabody, known as " the Everett Farm and
Withey Lot."
June 26, 1845, some lots were severed from the north-east
corner of Hebron and annexed to this town. Plymouth was
further enlarged by the annexation of a portion of Campton,
June 27, i860. The State Normal School was established
in this town in 1870. and the town was connected with
Campton by telephone in 1881.
[9-46] [Petition for a Survey of the Town, iy/2.~\
The petition of Samuel Livermore & David Hobart two of
the proprietors of the common and undivided Land lying within
the township of Plimouth in said province in behalf of them-
selves and the rest of the proprietors of said common and un-
divided land in said town of Plimouth humbly sheweth That
the said town of Plimouth was originally granted by the follow-
ing boundarys namely beginning at the westerly side of Pern i-
giwasset river opposite to the northwest corner of New-Hol-
derness where the line of Campton comes to the said river
from thence westerly about three miles by the south line of
Campton to the southwest corner thereof which is the northeast
corner of Cockermouth from thence south thirty degrees west
five miles and one half mile by said Cockermouth to the south-
easterly corner thereof from thence south 37 degrees west by a
tract of land called Cardigan six miles to the northerly line of
Newchester so called from thence northeasterly by the line of
New Chester about eleven miles to Pemigiwasset river from
thence up said river as the same tends to the place began at
which township or tract of land bounded & described as afore-
said was supposed to contain five miles and a half square or
224 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
17000 Acres. The petitioners further shew that the said
northeast corner of Cockermouth was never ascertained by any
authoritative Survey excepting what was done by Robert
Fletcher Esq who by order of his majestys Inferiour Court
of Common Fleas held for said province in March AD 1767 with
two chain-men under oath survey d so much of the towns of
Lyme Dorchester and Cockermouth as to fix the said northeast
corner of Cockermouth on a certain course nineteen miles from
Connecticut river by which same survey the said township of
Plimouth was found to contain more land than had before been
supposed. The said Petitioners farther shew that they have at
a very great expence laid out a considerable part of said Tract
or township into lots & made roads not only within the said
township but for the distance of twenty eight miles to the next
nearest Settlement when they began the settlement of Plimouth.
That some of their lots improved & settled do not fall within
the quantity of 17000 acres altho they are litterally within the
bounds of their charter. The Pet nre therefore pray your Excel-
lency & honours Consideration on the premisses and that a new
survey may be made of said town of Plimouth to begin at Pem-
igiwasset river opposite the northwest corner of New Holder-
ness & to run from thence on a straight line to a hemlock tree
newmarked by said Robert Fletcher Esq nineteen miles on a
certain course from Connecticut river for the northeast corner
of Cockermouth and from thence South thirty degrees west five
miles & a half to the Northeast corner of Cardigan and from
thence South 37 degrees west six miles to the southeast Corner
of Cardigan thence turning easterly & running on the same
point that the southerly sideline of Cardigan runs to the line
commonly called the patent line thence by said Patent line to
Pemigewasset river & thence by the said river to the bounds
first mentioned And that all the said last mentioned boundarys
when surveyed & marked may be established as the boundarys
of the said town of Plimouth & that all the land therein con-
tained over & above the five miles & a half square or 17000
acres mentioned in their first Charter may be granted to the Pe-
titioners to hold in proportion to their respective present interest
in the common & undivided lands in Plimouth. And the Peti-
tioners &ca shall ever pray &ca
Sam Livermore for the petitioners
November 27th 1772.
Memorandum The foregoing Petition is presented by the
consent & concurrence of the Subscriber being a patentee of
three thousand acres within the bounds aforesaid.
John Fenton
March 23 1773 This Petition was dismissed
Geo : King D. Sec'y
1
PLYMOUTH. 225
[9-47] \_Relative to Orders for raising- a Company of Sol-
diers : addressed to the Committee of Safety or Colonial
Congress, 1775-1
Gentlemen —
Whereas it hath been Represented to us by M r Abel Webster
member of the Colony Congress for the Town of Plymouth in
the County of Grafton, That your Honours propos'd & or-
dered one Company of YooX. to be Raised in the County of
Grafton, for the Defence of the Country one half of said
Company to be raised in the Towns Scituate on Conecticut
River & the other half on the Towns Scituate on Pemegiwa-
{ sitte River, and that the Orders for Raising said Company
was delivered to Israel Morey Esq r of Orford to be by him
f communicated to said Webster & by them to be proportioned
upon each River, Yet Nevertheless as we Understand the said
* Israel Morey Esq r keeps the said orders to himself or from this
part of the County in order to raise the whole of said Company
on Connecticutt River as he has had no connection or advice
1 with said Webster or any other person in this part of the Coun-
ty concerning the same We therefore the agents of the several
Towns hereafter Mentioned beg Leave to remonstrate to Your
Honours against the proceeding of said Esq r Alorey, conceiv-
ing that by his thus proceeding he has not only thwarted the
order and advice of Congress or said Committee of Safety but
also put this part of the County under a very Uneaquel footing
with the other part in bearing the publick charge in not having
the Previledge in raising our proportion of Men, We therefore
desire that Your Honours would Interpose in said affair by
pointing out to the said Esq r Morey the Path of Justice & Gen-
erosity by ordering him to Give up the orders to this part of
the County to raise half of said Company or otherwise as Your
Honors think proper
Plymouth 23 d June 1 775
For Plymouth Sam 1 Emerson
j Rumney Jonathan hall
For N. Holderness Sam 1 Sheperd
For N Chest r Carr Huse
Thornton Ezekiel Eliot
Cockersmouth Ebenezar Kendall
For Alexandrae Jonath n Cauleys
Campton Gershom Burbanks
Read & voted to put off the consideration of this Petition till
Col Hurd is present July I st 1775
17
226 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[9-48] [Relative to the election of a Representative : ad-
dressed to the Colonial Congress, 1773 '.]
[R. 3-136.] [Supplies furnished, 1778 and 1779.]
An account of the Money Supplied the Families of the Sol-
diers in the Town of Plymouth ingaged in the Continental Ser-
vice — The Supplies from the Tenth day of March 1 778 to the
Plymouth 13 th Dec r 1775
To the Honorable Congress of the Colony of New-Hamp-
shire —
May it please your Honors —
We your humble petitioners, beg leave to lay before you our
Remonstrances against the proceedings, at a Meeting of a Num-
ber of the Inhabitants of this Town together with a few from
the Towns of New-Chester, Cockermouth and Alexandria, held
at the Court-House in Plimouth, the 12 th of this Instant in order
to make choice of a Delegate to represent said Towns in Pro-
vincial Congress.
We beg leave to inform your Honors, that the Inhabitants of
the Town of Alexandria, by reason of the distance of Way, and
Difficulty of Traveling at this time of the Year, convened, and
chose Men, and sent them to Plimouth to act in behalf of the
•Town ; but they were suffered to act, in no other Capacity than
as Individuals, by which means they were deprived of a Share
in the Choice of a Representative — Also that a party Spirit has
much prevailed in this Town of late which we are very sorry
for — And we think sundry People have been influenced there-
by — And that the Gentleman lately elected, was chosen by a
party. And we think Things have not been fairly conducted.
We are dissatisfied with the above proceedings, therefore beg
of your Honors to condescend so far as to grant a Warrant for
another Meeting or permit another Choice to be made, in such
a Manner, as that the whole may have a Voice in said Elec-
tion —
avid Webster Stephen Webster Jun r
Silos Brown Peter Emerson
Sam 1 Derbon Winthrop Wells
Edward Evans John webber
onesiphes mash Jonas Ward
Jacob mash Amos Fish
Samuel marsh Paul Wells
Benjamin Wells Josiah Brown
Beniamin Darbon Joseph Read
Dismissed
PLYMOUTH. 227
Tenth of March 1779 according to the Select Mens accounts
& Records for that year are as follows
Extra Expenses
Paid by the Soldier paid by the Total
Town
James Barns £10- 4- 9 £68-13-10 £78-18-7
Benjamin Phillips S-12-11 50-3-10 58-16-9
Edward Evins 6- 4- 9 39- 5- 8 45-10- 6
£25- 2- 5 £158- 3- 5 £183- 5-10
And the Supplies from the Tenth day of March 1779 to the
first day of January 1780 are as follows
James Barns £9-13-9 £126-14-3 £136- 8-0
Benjamin Phillips 12- 8-0 164-16-6 177- 4-6
Edward Evins 8-17-9 164- 7-0 173- 4-9
£30-19-6 £455-! 7-9 £486-17-3
Plymouth January 29 th 17S0
Sam 1 Emerson \
John Willoughby >
Benj n Goold j
Select Men
[Willoughby and Goold were sworn before Samuel Emer-
son. — Ed.]
[R. 3-137.] \_Col. Hobarfs Resignatio?i, I779.~\
To the Honorable General Court for the State of New Hamp r
Gentlemen —
I have been Honoured with the Command of the Eleventh
Regiment of Militia in this State for some years past, which
trust I have Discharged according to the best of my Capacity —
and by change of Circumstances, it will be inconvenient for me
to serve in this Station any longer — Wherefore I beg leave to
Resign this public trust, & accordingly Do Resign this com-
mand, & beg the Honorable Court to accept the Same
I am Gentlemen your most obedient Humble Servant
David Hobart
Plymouth June 14 th 1779
[R. 3-13S] \_David Nevins, Soldier. ~\
This may Certify whom it may concern that John Nevins of
Plymouth in the County of Grafton and State of Newhampshire
is the only Brother to David Nevins late of s d Plymouth who
228 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
was a Continental Soldier in Co l Scammels or Reads Regiment
or both now deceas d & that the said John is the only male Heir j
to s d Davids Estate he having besides but only two sisters &:
therefore no Impediment in the way that we know of but that
he may draw the wages or what ever may be due from the
State to the S d David or his Estate !
Sam 1 Emerson ) Selectmen
William George j of Plymouth
Plymouth 19 th Jan rjr 1784.
[R. 3-139] [Mrs. Barns 's Order.]
John Taylor Gilman Esq r Treas r of the State of Newhamp-
shire Sir please to pay Joseph Senter Esq r the wages due to
me on Account of my late husband James Barns Deceas d being
late a Continental Soldier of one of the Quota of the Town of
Plymouth and you will oblige yours &c —
Plymouth 22 nd October 1784
her
Submit X Barns
mark
Test Sam 1 Emerson
[9~49] [Return of Ratable Rolls, 1783.]
Plymouth 12 th December 17S3 —
This may Certify, that there is Ninety two Male polls up-
wards of Twenty one years of Age paying for themselves a poll
Tax in the Town of Plymouth, There is also over and above
said Ninety two, five Soldiers returned home from the Conti-
nental Service since the first day of April last belonging to said
Plymouth upwards of Twenty one years of Age on said first
day of April last
Sam 1 Emerson ) c ,
Win- /-> > oelectmen
llliam George )
[Sworn to before Samuel Emerson and Moses Dow, jus-
tices of the peace. — Ed.]
[9-50] [Ret it ion for Atithority to raise Money by Lottery
to build a Bridge, i/Sj.']
Humbly shew the subscribers that in travelling the main road
from Coos to the Center & Sea ports of the State, they are
obliged to cross Bakers River in Plymouth, which is so large
PLYMOUTH. 229
as to be fordable, only a small part of the year, & in cold
weather, it is often partly frozen & partly open, so as to render
it difficult to pass. That within a few years last past, several
Bridges have been built over said River in Plymouth & Rum-
ney at the expence of said Towns or individuals — which tho at
a considerable distance out of the main road of travelling, were
of great public utility, so long as they continued —
That the Inhabitants of said Towns who live near the place
where said river is generally crossed, have within two years
last past, been at great expence in building a bridge there, but
as yet have not been able to finish, or even make it passable, &
that finding the object too great for their conveniance, have given
over the pursuit —
That so far as they have proceeded in building said bridge
which is considerable, has as yet, with but a triffle of damage
withstood the attacks of the late severest freshet ever known
while all the other bridges have been swept away
That your petitioners are fully of opinion, that if said bridge
could be finished, it would stand, & render great service & be
of general convenience to the public, until the timbers thereof
should become rotten — And therefore pray your Honors to grant
a Lottery, under due regulations, to raise two hundred pounds,
which they conceive to be sufficient for the purpose, & to ap-
point suitable managers for the same
They beg leave further to suggest, in this time of general
scarcity of money, that as wheat is the produce of that part of
the County, if said Lottery should be bottomed, upon that arti-
cle, it would be most likely, to answer the end proposed
Ail which your petitioners, pray your Honors to consider
with due deliberation, & make such order thereon, as may ap-
pear most for the public good —
And your petitioners as in duty bound shall ever pray &c —
Concord Oct 31 — 1785
Moses Dow in behalf & at the request of a number of
the Inhabitants of Rumney & Plymouth —
Noah Worcester David Webster Eben r Webster
Abraham Burnham Richard Jcnness Robert Smith
John Young Robert Colburn
William Simpson Elisha Payne
[In H. of Rep., Nov. 8, 17S5, the petitioners were granted
leave to bring in a bill. Senate concurred. — Ed.]
230 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[9-51] [ Consent of Town to the severing of the south-west
part, 1791 >~\
At a meeting of the freeholders and other Inhabitants of the
town of Plymouth in the County of Grafton qualified to vote in
town afairs, held at the meeting house in said town on friday j
the second day of December AD 1791 by adjournment — It was
Voted— j
To accept the report of the Committee appointed to take a ]
Survey of the land in the Southwesterly part of Plymouth so
far as to establish a line proper for the dividing line betwixt
said Plymouth and the land Petitioned for to set off in a new \
township, which line is — begining at a hemlock tree standing
on the -Patten line (so called) or the dividing line betwixt Ply-
mouth and Bridgwater one mile and one hundred and thirty
seven rods easterly from newfound pond, from thence north
seventeen degrees west two miles and two hundred and twenty-
six rods to the Southwest corner of Benjamin Taylors lot, from
thence north forty five degrees west forty eight rods to the South-
east corner of lot number three in the second range, from thence
north sixty degrees west on the dividing lines betwixt the lots
Number three and four in the first and second ranges in the last
division of fifty acre lots, and so on the same course to Cock-
ermouth line, and that we are willing that all the Lands on the
Southwesterly side of said line laving in Plymouth be set off
and Incorporated into a new township agreeable to the prayer
of the Petition —
Extract from the votes of said meeting —
Coppy of Record exam' 1 —
Sam 1 Emerson Town Clerk
[9-52] [Petition of sundry Inhabita?its to be incorporated
into a new Tozvn, iygi.~\
The Petition of us the Subscribers humbly sheweth that by a
late establishment of the Boundaries of the Town of Plymouth,
(of which we are Inhabitants,) Our Connection with said Town
of Plymouth is rendered exceeding difficult, as the road at pres-
ent is new & in a great Measure unoccupied, & the Length of
way from the principal part of us nearly Six miles to the now
Centre of said Plymouth, & further, that the greater part of us
have been at a great expence in Settling a Gospel minister &
Supporting the Gospel among ourselves without any assistance
of the Town of Plymouth aforesaid, & having previously ob-
tained approbation of the Inhabitants of said Plymouth by a
PLYMOUTH. 231
unanimous Vote herewith inclos'd & preferrd to Your honours,
Signifying that Our desires may be fully gratify'd —
Wherefore we pray that Such a part of said Plymouth as is
expressd by meets & Bounds (in said Vote herewith preferr'd
by the Bearer William Cummings) may be set oft*, & incor-
porated into a Township by the Name of Weston, & that we
the Inhabitants of the same may be invested with Town Privi-
leges in Such way as Your Honour's in Wisdom may Judge fit
And We your Honour's Petitioners as in duty bound shall
ever pray —
Plymouth Dec r 7 th 1791—
E ben Kendall John W Kendall Evan Bartlet
Josiah Hobart Jacob Lovejoy Benj a Hazelton
/ uriah Pike Jacob Perkins Jonathan Morss
Simeon Lovejoy James Colburn David Cheney
I Ebenezer Kendall Samuel Hazaltun Jerahmeel Bowers
Ju W m Cummings Jun r Jonathan Bartlett
[The territory was set off, combined with a part of Cock-
ermouth, and incorporated into the town of Hebron, June
15, 1792. — Ed.]
[9—53] [Relative to the disputed Line."]
This may Certify whom it may Concern that Concerning the
lands between Campton and Plymouth (in Dispute) which Ply-
mouth protend to hold because laid out by the propriators of
said plymouth and Settle d under plymouth which is said that
was never Disputed till very lately until the line was Established
by the Courts Committee Nor Ever till said plymouth petitioned
Campton to be Anexed to said plymouth — which may appear
to the Contrary
In the first place plymouth knew that Campton held a Straight
line from New Holderness Northwest Corner to Cockermouth
Northeast Corner and them two Corners was well known by
the first Settlers of said plymouth —
In the second place those Inhabitants on said lands acknol-
edged themselves under the Juridiction of Campton by holding
Millitary Commitions and Othces in town affairs which may be
made to appear and thirdly before the said Courts Committee
run said line the said Inhabitants several of them living on said
lands purchased undivided Shares in Campton in Order to
Cover their lands which they knew would fall into said Camp-
ton After the said Committee run said line the Inhabitants afore-
said refused to Come under the Juridicon of said Campton till
matters were Settled between plymouth and Cockermouth in
232 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
regard to lands that were taken of Cockermouth by said Com-
mittee and in the mean time that those Matters were in adjata-
tion plvmouth Pitched for their Meeting house and built it
within one Mile of the Committees line and laid out all their
wild lands wouth Settling in to lots and picked those that they
thought worth Settling and left the rest for the propriators
of Campton for a Compensation for those lands that plymouth
had laid out in Campton and then petioned said Campton to
have the aforesaid Inhabitants to be anexed to said plymouth
[9-54 is a crude plan, showing the Blanchard line and the
committee's line. — Ed.]
1
[9-56] [ Vote of Town relative to the disputed Land, iyg2.~]
At a meeting of the Inhabitants of the town of Plymouth in
the County of Grafton held by adjournment at the dwelling
house of Joseph Herrik in said Plymouth on friday the 29 th day
of November 1792
It was Voted, That the town Petition the General Court to
have the tract of land with its Inhabitants lying betwixt Blanch-
ards line (so called) and the Dividing line established by a
Committee of the General Court betwixt Plymouth and Camp-
ton annexed to said Plymouth — also —
Voted, That John Porter esq 1 " is chosen Agent in behalf of
said Plymouth with full Power to Petition the General Court
for the purpose aforesaid, and pursue said afairin order to have
the same Compleated as soon as may be.
[9-55] \_Relative to setting- off the south-west part of the
Town, 1792. ,] • j
This may Certify that the Inhabitants of the town of Ply- j
mouth have been served with a Coppy of a Petition of a num- j
ber of the Inhabitants of the Towns, of Plvmouth and Cocker- \
mouth (respecting Incorporating a New Township) — and the
order of Court thereon, and have no objection provided that a
former vote of the Inhabitants of said Plymouth respeting the
dividing line betwixt said Plymouth and said newtownship (a
coppy of which vote has already been given the Petitioners) be
strictly adheard to — In behalf of the Inhabitants of said Ply-
mouth —
Plymouth June 9 th 1792
Sam 1 Emerson one of
the Selectmen of Plymouth
1
PLYMOUTH. 233
Extracts from the proceedings of said meeting and a true
Coppy of Record examined P r
Sam 1 Emerson town Clerk
[9-57] [Petition for the Annexation of the disputed Terri-
tory to Plymouth : addressed to the General Court, jygz.']
The Petition of us the subscribers Humbly Sheweth — That
by the dividing line betwixt Plymouth and Campton as lately
Established by the Hon ble Joseph Badger esq 1 " and others a
Committee appointed by an act of the General Court, a tract of
land with its Inhabitants is taken off of what has been held to
be part of Plymouth and laid on to Campton, said Tract bound-
ing on the South by said Committees line, on the north on
Blanchards line so called, and on Rumney line about one mile
on the west, said lines nearly Intersecting each other that is the
Committees line and Blanchards line near Pemegiwasette river
on the east, Therefore your Petitioners Inhabitants of said tract
of Land and others Improvers and owners of Land therein
further Shew — That we have ever Injoyed our Selves and lands
under the Jurisdiction of Plymouth ever since the Incorporation
thereof, and Still desirous so to remain — That we have with
said Plymouth been our proportion of expence in Settling and
maintaining a minister and in all public buildings taxes and
expences, That it is much more convenient for us to belong to
the town of Plymouth than Campton being much connected
with and living near the center of the Inhabitants of Plymouth
and much disconnected with and living very remote from the
center of the Inhabitants of Campton — We therefore pray your
Honours to take our cause under consideration and that said
tract of Land with its Inhabitants maybe annexed to, or remain
to the town of Plymouth, and that said Plymouth have and con-
tinue Jurisdiction of the same and the Preambulation of the line
betwixt Plymouth and Campton be put of till the determination
of the General Court hereon, or otherwise act thereon as you
may think best, and your Petitioners as in deuty bound shall
ever pray &c
Plymouth December 8 th 1792 —
Sam 1 Emerson Jacob marsh
Jacob Merrill Samuel Marsh
George All thomas m c Cluer
Ebenczer Blodget Joshua Thornton
James Harvell Jacob Giddings
Onsyphrous Marsh Jacob Smith
Benj u Goold William Greenough
234 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Ephraim Keyes Peter Dearban
Winthrop Wells Peter Webster
Benjamin Wells David Alls
Elisha Bean
[The land in question was annexed to Plymouth by an
act passed June 21, 1793. — Ed.]
[9—58] [Petition of the Town Age?tt for the Annexation of
the disputed Territory : addressed to the General Court,
1792. .]
Humbly Shew the Inhabitants of Plymouth in said State,
that in the Year of our Lord seventeen hundred and eighty, a
Committee was appointed by an Act of the General Court to
survey and lay out certain Townships within the Counties of
Strafford and Grafton, the Boundaries of which had never be-
fore been ascertain'd, and, that, in laying out the Townships of
Plymouth and Campton, the said Committee annexed to the
said Township of Campton a Gore of Land about one mile in
width at the Base and ending Pemigewasset River nearly in a
Point; which Gore of Land was originally laid out and settled
by the Proprietors of Plymouth — and whereas, in and by said
act, it was provided that no Settler shoud be disturbed in laying
out the Townships aforesaid ; but that the Proprietors, under
whom such Settler had bought and improved, shoud pay and
satisfy the Proprietors, from whom Lands had been wrongfully
taken, in other new and unimproved Lands
and whereas the Proprietors of Plymouth have since paid and
satisfied the Proprietors of Campton for the Gore of Land afore-
said agreeably to the act aforesaid — We your Petitioners hum-
bly pray that the same may be reanexed to, and incorporated
with the said Town of Plymouth and subject to the Jurisdiction
thereof; and that the Law of this State, enjoining Selectmen to
perambulate the Lines of their respective Towns, at certain Pe-
riods therein mentioned, may be suspended in its operation, (if
necessary) so far as respects the Line between the said Towns
of Plymouth and Campton, 'till a Decision may be had on the
Premises; and your Petitioners, as in Duty bound, will ever
pray for &c a
John Porter Agent for the Inhabitants
of Plymouth
December 17 th 1792 —
[See preceding document. — Ed.]
PLYMOUTH.
235
[9—59] [Petition for Authority to send a Representative :
addressed to the Ge?zeral Court, //<?<?.]
.Humbly Shew
The Subscribers Inhabitants of the Town of Plymouth in s d
State, that having very nearly attained to the constitutional
number requisite for electing a Representative, wish for the
privilege of electing one — as several Towns in the State, having
a less number of voters than Plymouth, have obtained the like
privilege on petition —
that the Town of Wentworth (lately classed with Orford, &
-now a remnant) hath petitioned to be classed with the Town of
Rumney, for the like purpose — wherefore, your Petitioners
(conceiving a propriety in the request) pray that you would
take the matter under your wise consideration, & grant us said
privilege — & we, as in Duty bound, shall ever pray &c
Plymouth Nov r
Henry Cumings
Fran is Worcester
Rich d Bayley
David Hazel tine
Joseph Bayley
Moses Hull
Jacob Merrill Ju r
John Porter
Tho 8 Harriman
John Willoughby
Jonas Keyes
Joseph Read
Benj a Goo Id
Sam 1 Emerson
David Webster
Sam 1 Wells
Jacob Merrill
John Rogers
Jotham Cumings Ju 1
Dan 1 C Webster
Jon a Cumings
Zachariah Parker
Giles Merrill
James Miller
John Hull
Jeremiah Smith
Philip Wells
James Harveli
> I 799—
Sam 1 Green leaf
Reuben Dearbon
Isreal Hoyt
W m George Jun r
Jabez H Weld
Abner Willoughby
William Webster
Phinehas Walker
Currier Barnard
John Farnum
Moses French
Samuel Stearns
James M c Cluer
Rich d Bayley Ju r
Enoch Ward
Jon a Robbins Jr
Peter M'Questin
Isaac Ward
Daniel Ward
W r " 1 george
Moses george
King George
John Webber
Peter Webster
Peter Dearben
Amos Webster
Edmund Webber
Ebenezer Emerson
W m Currier
Daniel Currier
Jacob Fellows
James Garman
Joseph F. Cumings
Abel Chamberlain
Jon a Robbins
Nath 1 Emerson
Ephraim Keyes
Moses Emerson
Jacob Smith
Nasson West
Winthrop Wells
David Richardson
Elisha Bean
Joshua Thornton
David Alls
Sargent Bartlett
John Ridout
Joseph Clifford
Simeon Blodget
Sam 1 Morse
Enoch Melvin
John Keyes
Edward Senter
Jacob Draper
Jacob Draper Jun r
Gain Robertson
236 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
G W Webster J on * Emerson Christ B Noyes
Ephr m Farnum James Ryan Asa Robbins
Stephen Bartlett Thomas Fuller
Joseph Cochran Aaron Stearns
Total 94
[In H. of Rep., December 10, 1799, tne foregoing request
was granted. The senate concurred. — Ed.]
PORTSMOUTH.
The township was included in the grant to Mason and
Gorges of August 10, 1622, and a settlement was made the
following year at a place since known as Odiorne's Point,
now in Newcastle, by one David Thompson.
A grant was made in 163 1 by the council of Plymouth of
territory for a township on the Piscataqua river and harbor,
which covered what is now Portsmouth, Newcastle, Rye,
and portions of Greenland and Newington.
A settlement was made where the city now is, which
went by the names of Piscataqua and Strawberry bank
until, in answer to a petition from the inhabitants thereof in
May, 1753, to the government of Massachusetts, which had
jurisdiction over it, it received its present name, which was
deemed suitable, "it beinge the River's mouth & a good
harbour."
Newcastle was set off in 1693 ; Greenland partially in
1704, and fully in 1721.
Portsmouth was for many years the financial and govern-
mental centre of the province — the home of its chief magis-
trates and men of wealth and influence. It contains build-
ings, paintings, and localities of historic interest, and its
inhabitants are justly proud of the wisdom and patriotism of
their ancestors.
On the 27th of June, 1774, the inhabitants forced the re-
shipment of a cargo of tea, and of another in September fol-
lowing.
In 1775, notwithstanding the personal popularity of Gov-
ernor Wentworth prompted the inhabitants to pass a reso-
lution pledging their utmost endeavors to prevent any insult
being offered to him, yet they were as prompt to take up
PORTSMOUTH. 237
arms in behalf of liberty, as earnest in opposition to royalty,
and contributed as freely of their money and blood for the
establishment of independence, as the people of any locality
in the colonies.
The eminent men of Portsmouth in the eighteenth cen-
tury were numerous. I shall mention but one here. His
speech in the legislature, which was in session at Exeter at
the time of the fall of Ticonderoga, when public credit was
exhausted, and the patriots nearly discouraged, ought to go
down to posterity beside that of the patriotic Henry. Aris-
ing from his seat in the house of representatives, of which
he was speaker, John Langdon said, — " I have one thou-
sand dollars in hard money. I will pledge my plate for
three thousand more. I have seventy hogsheads of Tobago
rum, which will be sold for the most it will bring. They
are at the service of the state. If we succeed in defending
our firesides and our homes, I may be remunerated : if we
do not, then the property will be of no value to me. Our
friend Stark, who so nobly maintained the honor of our state
at Bunker Hill, may safely be entrusted with the honor of
the enterprise, and we will check the progress of Burgoyne."
The result of this, as is well known, was the victory at Ben-
nington, and the subsequent surrender of Burgoyne. John
Langdon held many public positions in the state, and was
the first presiding officer of the U. S. senate.
Portsmouth adopted a city charter in 1849, and ranks fifth
in population of the cities of the state.
[R. 3-140] Portsm : Acco tu 1696
A Generall List and acco" ofSould r & Wages ; Imprest by
Cap* Redford : and Cap' Langdon for his Majest* Service att
Dover & Oysf River from Aprill to this 13 th November 1696
Who Served
Where
What Time
Anth Lowden
Dover
m
I
w
2
a
I
£1-16-10
Miles Thomas
do
I
2
1
1-16-10
John Thomas
Jh° Putman
do
6
I
O
7-10-00
8-13-08
do
6
3
2
James Ravvlings
do
2
2
0-18-08
Luke Wells
do
6
4
7-°7-°4
John Miller
do
1
1
4
1-13-04
238
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Thomas Whidden
Dover
6
i
3
7- 1 2-06
Jn° Roe
Rich d Dore
do
3
3
2
4-1 1 -oS
do
2
o
O
2-oS-OO
W m Rackliff
do
I
o
2
I-05-OS
Rich d Clay
do
2
o
O
2-OS-OO
Rich d Webber
do
I
o
O
I-O4-OO
John Bicford
Sam 1 Hill
do
I
o
o
I-O4-OO
do
2
o
4
2-1 I-04
Geo : Snell
do
I
I
o
1-10-00
James Norway
do
6
I
3
7-1 2-o6
Sam 1 King
Oy r R r
i
o
o
I-O4-OO
Sam 1 Weeks
do
i
o
o
I-O4-OO
Nath 1 Huggins
do
o
o
8
O-06-IO
J n° Johnson
do
2
2
2
3-0 I -oS
Joseph Holmes
Sam 1 Snell
do
3
3
3
4-I2-06
do
i
I
o
I-IO-OO
Laz : Noble
do
o
o
8
O-06-IO
AIex r Kenistone
do
o
3
o
0-18-00
Jn° Bartlett
Dover
2
2
3
3-02-06
Rich d Tree
do
6
I
o
7-IO-00
Rob 1 Bryant
do
o
3
o
0-18-00
Arnold Brick
do
o
3
o
0-IS-00
Nich 8 Walden
do
I
2
o
1-16-00
Rich d Sloper
do
o
O
o
O- 4- 2
Thomas Edgerly
do
6
o
2
7-05- 8
Jn° Plaisted
do
i
o
o
1-04-00
Peter Fogg
do
i
o
o
1-04-00
Jn° Downing
do
i
o
o
1-04-00
W ni Shackford
do
i
o
o
1-04-00
Rich d Davis
do
i
o
o
I -I 6-00
W m Pumerie
do
i
3
2
2-03-08
Jn° Clarke
do
5
o
3
6-02-06
£ 1 1 2-00-08
Hugh Banfield
do
i
IO
o
I-IO-OO
JEII3-I0-0S
Acco" of Sundryes to whom the Province is Indebted ; as apears
to the Committy November 13 1696
To m r Morse for former Touchelling Gunns and Casting
321 lb bulletts for the Sould r9 I- 6-0
To Zackrie Trickey for Ferridge 0-12-0
To Damadge for Toogoods Gundeloe: due to him )
when Imprest to Carry over Massachusetts > o- 0-0
Sould" J
u
PORTSMOUTH.
239
To the D Sheriff for Warming the assembly and Coun-
cil 8 times &c 2- 0-0
£ 4-13-0
Brought over 1 1 2-00-S
Portsm Novemb 1 " 13 th 1696
Approved and Examined by
£116-13-8
Kinsley Hall
John Tuttle
Henry Dow J onn Woodman
Theodore Attkinson W m Redford
of the Comitty
[R- 2-37] !
A List of Souldiers Names : and Time they Served att her
Majesties flburt W m and Mary : at New Castle in the province
of New Hampshire New England 1708.
[The following is a list of the Portsmouth men only;
those from Hampton were published in Vol. XII. — Ed.]
Portsm men : May 18 to May 31
John Foy
Sam 1 Snell
June 18 to June 28
Jn° Cotton
Jn° Alexander
Rich d Davis
James Moses
Nath 1 Gerrish
June 28 to July 7.
Rodger Thomas Jn° Hardison
Nathaniel Adams Sam 1 Spinney
Jabez Pittman
June 31 to July 14
Jn° Johnson Daniel Condrick
June 7 to July 17.
Tho : Leatherby
Shiper Lunt
Lange
Gideon Frye
June 14 to July 28.
Arnold break Jn° Hinkson
Tom : Berry
Daniel Condrick.
Peter Abbott
Nath 1 Jackson
Rich d Waldron
John Cocks
W m Philbrook
Jn° Ross
W m White
Sam 1 Pittman
Moses Paul
Matthew Nelson
John Dockham
240
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
June 17 to July 28
Sam 1 Thompson
Clem 1 Hughes
Joseph Miller
June 28 to July 8
Jn° Walker
Sam 1 Hill
Sam 1 Whaterhouse
Jn° Phickatt
Tho Mathus
Abraham Jones
Edward Toosrood
June 29 to July 1 2
Robert Gose Sam 1 King
July 8 to July 19
John Preston Richard Martin
Hugh Candfield John Savage
July 12 to July 26
Sam 1 Noel
July 19 to July 29
Cap 1 Wincoll
Henry Seward
Sam 1 Hains
Cap* Hull
George Pierce
July 26 to Aug 8t 9
Tom : Row Daniel Davis
Jn° Neal Jn° Peverly
July 29 to Aug 9t 9
M r Henry Slooper
M r Mead
Aug 8 * 9 to Aug st 19
Nath 1 Tuckerman
Aug 8t 9 to 23
Aug 23 to Sep* 6
Jn° Philbrook
Aug 1 * 19 to Aug 8 * 30.
Gidens
Cap* Wybird
M r Calfe
M r Booth
Watt Abbott
Tho : Pickrein
Jude Allen
Sam 1 Foss
Peter hall
Aug** 30 to Sept 10
Jn° Mead
Lazarus Homes
Rawland Thomas
Edward Wells
Tho : Greely
W m Cotten
Th° Beck
Jon a Whiden
Rich d Waterhouse
Richard Davis
James Hobbs
Tho : Starbo.ard
Sam 1 Davis
Jn° Pope
Phillip Pike
Jn° Bly
Christopher Kenistone
Jn° Fox
Cap* Pickrin
James Gray
Jer: Miller
Tom : Crocker
Jn° Bourn
Charles Brown
M r Door
Benj a Pudington
Henry Sherburne
George Huntress
Walter Neal
Nich' Follett
Jer : Libbey
J a : Moses
Richard Toby
Jn° Shacktbrd
PORTSMOUTH. 24I
Sep* 6 to Sept 21 W m Furber Jethro Furber
Sam 1 Wheden Ja : Leach Joshua Beck
Sep* 10 to Sep* 20
Alexander Miller W m Lewis Rodger Swain
Cap* Tho : Phipps Jn° Woodman Geo : Marshall
Sep* 20 to Sep* 30
Nath 1 Pike Tim° Davis James Libby
Thorn : Row Alexander Hodsdon Joseph Moses
Sep* 30 to Oct 12
W m Cotten Sam 1 Clark Wallace Knight
Oct 5 to Oct 18 Joseph Barry Tom : Every
Oct 18 to Nov r 1 Nath 1 Peverly Steven berry
Shadrach Walton Cap*
[R. 3-141] [ Warning to the Militia, J6gy."\
Province of To y e Cap* and the rest of militia ofisers of
New Hamshr the towne of Portsmo th
Pursuant to a warrant from Liutenant Govern r John Ushir
Esq r to me directed from Hampton bearing date y e
[l. s.] 11 th of this instant Decemb r you are hearby required
in his majesties Name to muster y e foot Company
und r youre Command that they apeare on tuesdav next being
y e 14^ instant Compleately in arms Acording to law at ten of
y* Clock in y e forenoone in order to Compliance with such or-
ders as L* Governor John Usher has Receved from white hall
bareing date y e 27 th of octob r last heare of faile not at youre
utmost perill as you will answer y e Contrary
given und r my hand and seal this 13 th of Decemb' 1697
Thomas Packer Lf* Collon 1
[9-72] [Precept for Election of Assemblymen, I7<?J.~]
William and Mary by y e Grace of God of England Scotland
ffrance and Ireland King and Queene Deffend r of y e ffaith To
y" Constable of Great Island In y e town of portsm In ye Prov-
ince of new Hampsher
Whereas in Persuance of a Presept from his Hon r y e Left :
Govern 1 " for y e Calling of y e freholders of y* Abovesaid towne to
Gether for y e macking Choyse of too men for Representatives
for s d town there was Returned maj r Elias Stileman and m r
18
242 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Sam 11 Keeas ; but it not Appearing by s d Returne that they
were duly Elected by y e nreholders of ye s d Towne or that ye
fFreeholders were Dulv summoned thereunto ; ye sd Returne
was and Is Adjudged Illegall and voyd These are therefore In
there maj tys Names to Requier y e forth w th to Cause ye free-
holders of ye Above s d towne to meeat at Strabry-Bank Meting
House one Munday next att Eight of y e Clock In y e fibre noone
to Elect and Chuse too fltt and discreat men of y e s d Towne
(Being freeholders thereof) w th full and suflcent power for
them selves and y e Community of y e s d towne to Be Represent-
atives to seet foarth w th In y e Genarall Assembly now setting
att Great Island and y e are allso to mack y r Returne forth w* 11 to-
me w th y e Persons Chosen
march 4 th 1692/3 in y e ffifth yeare of there maj tys Reigne
Richard Joses Sherf*
New Hamps r
Portsmouth y e 6th of March 1692/3
According to y e within warrant to me directed in obedience
thereunto I have Summoned the ffreeholders of this town within
my precincts Accordingly they did meet at time and place ap-
poynted & then and there they have made Choyce of Maj r Elias
Stileman and M r Samuel Keise to be Representatives for the
said Town —
James Booth Cunstable of great-island
[9~"73] [Return of Assemblymen, i6q4.~\
To the shriff:
according to youer warrant Richard weber [Wibird] Cun-
stable warned a town meeting of y e freeholders of this towne of
portsm for makeing choice of three descreet men for Repre-
sentatives : which was done on y e 29 th Instant the persons freely
Chosen for that end was m r georg Jaftrey John pickrin seen 1 " &
John plasteed : the Cunstable being sick desiered mee to take
Care of preserving the voats (which I did) & signifie the same
to you
dated 29 th of October 1694
James Levitt Deb ty Shreift
[9-74] [Ditto, 1695.I
provinc of Newhampshir portsm may V 6 14 th 1695 — m r Ad-
kison shrift this may sertefy you that by vertue of your warrant
to me directed have Called A townmeeting of y e free holders of
PORTSMOUTH. 243
the above sd town for y e Chuesing of Assemblemen : for his
maj ts servis : At new castle on y e fifteenth Instant : sd free-
holders met & mad chois of m r georg Jaffrey : m r John plas-
teed & John pickerin sen r for these Representatives to serve as
above s d
Per John Chevarst Erected, a Number of Persons among us, (tho' they
had been taxed to the Charge of building that House,) thinking
it might be for the Interest of Religion, for the Good of them-
selves, & of their Posterity, for the Public worship of God to be
continued In the Same place, where it had been formerly
carried on, determined to be at the Expence Necessary for that
End.
That in this affair we met with much difficulty, and among
other things which conspired to Enhance the Charge, a Law
was Enacted, which is Still in force, (tho' not Printed & So un-
known to most People,) by Virtue whereof all Strangers that
come to Settle in the Town, & Young men, as they Arrive at
full Age, that do not within the Space of three months, present
themselves to the Select-men of the Town cS: make a Declara-
tion that they Will join with this Parish, are Deem'd as belong-
ing to the other, & obig'd to pay to the Support of the Ministry
there ; whereby this Parish has been Prejudiced & the growth
thereof very much Retarded. —
his Town & Province Rates abated Dureing Said Term Pro- |
vided & upon Condition that the Said Tho s Pickering make
keep & maintain a Suffecient Bridge over the mill Dam well
Railed in Dureing his Life & that an agrement be made Signed
& Sealed by & between the Select men and the Said Pickering
& that Fifteen Pounds be Raised by the Town & paid Said
Pickering this Present year for and in full for the first Three
Years & to be paid no more till the Year 1735 — ■
New Book page 79
Tho* Phipps. moderator
PORTSMOUTH.
251
That when our Old meeting house was So far decayed as to
be past Repair, & we thereby necessitated to build another,
tho' we had no return from our neighbours of the assistance we
had formerly afforded them, yet (with difficulty) we Accom-
plished the Same, and Sundry Persons that could not be So
well accommodated with Seats for themselves & Families in
the North meeting house, as with us, being Dispos'd to join us,
are notwithstanding obliged to pay to the other Parish Charges
tho' they attend the Public worship with us.
That the afores d Law is So calculated as lays an unequal
burden on this Parish, & has an Immediate tendency to Op-
press them, & Create disturbances and Law Suits between the
People of the Town —
Your Petitioners therefore Humbly Pray this Hon ble Court,
to take the Premisses under your Consideration to repeal the
afores d Law, & give Liberty to the People to attend the Public
worship at either of the Said Meeting Houses as they Shall See
fit, & to pay where they do So attend, or pass Some other Act
which Shall Set the Parishes on an Equal foot, or Provide
Such other Remedy as you in Your Great Wisdom & Good-
ness Shall think proper —
And your Petition 1-8 as in Duty bound Shall ever pray &c —
John Sherburne
Samull Tapley
John Hooper
Elias Tarlton
Stephen Lang
Tames Sherburn
John X Lang
mark
John Cotton
David Cate
Joseph Lang
Peter Shore
Samuel Lang
Jeremiah Larey
Jefferv Jackson
Caleb Beck
Tona Partridge
John Brown
Robart Lang
Johems Barnes
John Deverson
John preston
James abbott
Zach Leach
John Peirce
Thomas Hart
Jn° Frost
J Harrison
W m Hooker
Richad Evans
Henry Beck
Thomas Cotton
Joshua Cate
Nath 11 Lang Junr
John Jones
James Jones
William White
Richard Shortridg
Nathaniel Lang
John Jackson
John Will
Peter Mathes
Samuel mills
Samuel Beck
John Savage
I Rindge :
Mark Langdon
Matthew Livermore
Sam 1 Sherburne
Daniel Moulton
Mark Hunking
D Peirce
Josh a Peirce Jun r
Nath 1 Peirce
James Clarkson
Evans Drun
William Partridge
Edmon Weaber
John feackit
John Bickfoord
Jethro furbur
thomas Pickrin
David Horney
Timothy Davis
Tho Beck
Damans Jose
Ben ja man lewes
John mills
Ichabod Clark
John Noble .
Benj" Dockem
John Bush
252
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Jeremiah Homes
Thomas Lang
Samuel Lang
Daniel Jackson jun r
George Marshall
Obaifiah Marshall
Sam 11 marshall
Samll waters
Jethro ffurbur
Bern" 1 Levsey
VV ra Cotton
Geo : walker
Sam 11 Banfiell
Thomas Wright
George Walton
Step 11 Green leaf
George hunttess
Stephen Noble
Henry Bickford
SamL Leaf
Thomas Bickford
Jonathan Low
[The matter was several times before the legislature, and
in the H. of Rep., August 18. 1737/* Voted that the parties
be heard on the Petition as soon as possible." The senate
concurred. — Ed.]
[9-65] [Answer of Committee of the First Parish, I?37*2
A Petition being preferred at the last Sessions of generall as-
sembly, by Sundry Persons of the Town of Portsmouth in the
Province aforesaid, desiring y e repeal of a certain Law, hereto-
fore made for settling y e Parishes in said Town &c and an order
being made upon hearing y e Said Petition, on y e 30 th of March
last past, greatly to the detriment of y e first Parish in s d Town ;
and where as the S d Petition contains Sundry things, which we
take to be gross Misrepresentations, not only of the S d first Par-
ish, but of y e Conduct of y e Goverment at the Time when y e
Law complained of was made. We therefore humbly beg
leave to answer the S d Petition in its Severall particulars. — In
the first and third Paragraphs of the Petition, it is Suggested
that the S d first Parish was guilty of great Injustice, in taxing
them to the building the Nbrth-Meeti rig-House in the Town
afores d & not repaying them when they built theirs : in answer
to which we say, that, at y e Time when the North-Meeting-
House was built, there was no Distinction of Parishes in the
Town, as there is now ; That it was built by Vote of y e Major-
ity of the Town, present, & voting at a meeting called for that
purpose ; and that being the only Rule in such Cases, it was no
ways unjust for them to be taxed towards building the S d North-
Meeting-House, any more than towards building a School
House, or any other Town-Charge ; and inasmuch as the House
was large enough for the whole Town at that Time ; if they,
for their own Conveniency or any other Reason, had a mind to
build one, or ten Houses for publick Worship, it was but rea-
sonable that they Should do it at their own Expence : But How-
ever just it might be, yet the first Parish did not insist upon
their Right, but, having taxed them, (as we Suppose) with
Expectation that thev would attend y e publick worship at the
then New-Meeting-House ; when they found that that was not
PORTSMOUTH. 253
agreable to them, the S d first Parish left them more in value
than they had taxed them, towards building the North-Meeting-
House. The Rates of y e South part of the Town for y e years
I 7°9 I 7 1 °' & X 7 [I w ere at a Medium £81.00 per an. nearest
Those of y e North Part £213.0,0 In the year 171 2 when the first
Rate for building the North-Meeting-House was made, the Rate
of the North Part of the Town was £51 1.6.0, that of y e South
Part was £157.6.0. In the year 1 713 The Rate of y e North
Part was £547, iS. o. That" of the South Part £87.2.0 And
in the Year 17 14, the whole Town-Rate was not £200. So
that they paid only one Rate towards building the North-Meet-
ing-House, viz in the year 1712, & that was but £76. 6. o. more
than they had paid at a medium for three years before. In Re-
% turn for this, the first Parish left them, the Old-Meeting-House,
j which Served for a place of publick worship about Twenty
years, & was then sold for about £60 — and the Bell which we
J Suppose could not be bought under £15 — 0.0 Sterling. Be-
sides this there are Severall pews in the North-Meeting-House,
now held in the right of those, that paid part of the S d £76. 6. o,
So that the Privelidges held in the North Meeting House by
Some of them, & what the first Parish left them, was certainly
much more in Value than what they recieved by the Tax afore
mentioned. — As to the Law complained of, the first Article is,
that it is not printed, & so unknown to most of them. As to its
not being printed, we Suppose it to be y e Case of many of the
Laws of this Province, & indeed of most private Laws ; But as
to its being unknown (if really so) it must be Supposed to be
the fault of those, who from Time to Time have had the Care
of their Parish Affairs ; a Copy being at any Time demandable
of the Secretary, by which they might as easily have informed
all Persons concerned therewith as if it had been printed. As
to the Law it self, we take it to be in the room of a Dividing
line, (which without manifest injustice was at that Time im-
practicable) but with this advantageous difference, that it left
every man to his Liberty, which dividing Lines between Par-
ishes do not always do. As to the Time given for any Person
to Signify his intention to belong to y e South Parish, viz three
months, we Suppose it to be, because any Person that has been
So long an Inhabitant is then rateable, & if so, it must be
esteemed the most Suitable Time. As to that part of the Law,
that deems all to belong to the first Parish, unless they expressly
declare their intention, within the Time limited, to belong to
the other, we Suppose it to be according to the constant Rule
in Such Cases. Those who do not expressly dissent, are reck-
oned with the Majority. To this it may be added that the form
of the Law was Such as was agreable, to the Principal, if not
to all of that Parish, that had the Care of that Affair in the Time
254 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
1
when the Law was made. In the third Paragraph of the Peti-
tion, it is represented as a hardship occasioned by the aforesaid
Law, that Sundry Persons who could be better accommodated
with Seats, for them Selves & family, with them, Since they
have built their New-Meeting-House, than with y e first Parish,
are yet obliged to pay to the S d first Parish : In answer to which
we acknowledge, that, their New-Meeting-House being built
much nearer, the North-meeting-House, than their former 1
House was, without Doubt many may be better accommodated
there than in the North-Meeting- House, that being always Sup-
posed to be a great part of their Design in building it in the
place where it now Stands : But we humbly presume it will by
no means follow, that because a man can be better accommo-
dated in another Parish than in his own, he Shall therefore be
excused from paying to that he first belonged to, unless they are
willing to release him : For if this Should be -laid down for a
rule, what would become of y e Contract between a minister &
his People? If one man for the Conveniency of a Seat, may
withdraw, they all might, for that or any other reason, & it may
be Supposed that there are many much more weighty than the
conveniency of a Seat. The First Parish is now under Con-
tract, & as to all concerned in the making that Contract, with-
out Doubt they are obliged to fulfill it, & as to those that have
come into the Parish Since, we Suppose that by their so doing,
they become Partners to the Said Contract, & have no just Pre-
tence to be excused from paying their Proportion to it, unless
they can induce the Parish to Consent Thereto : However, we
make no Doubt, but that the First Parish would, upon proper
application made to them, have released all those that had Pews
in y c Second Parish House, & none in the First; as they have
Severall already upon their requesting it, alltho' the Second
Parish Still tax Some, who constantly attend at the First Par-
ish-House. And here it may not be improper to mention, that
the first Parish are so far from being disposed to oppress the
other, (were it in their power) that they are always ready to do
them any act of kindness, that can be reasonably desired ; one
Instance whereof they have lately given, in voting their right
in a Piece of land in the Town, to the minister of that Parish
during his continuance in the ministry with them. Towards
the Close of y e Petition the Law is represented as laying an un-
equall Burthen & as to which we Say, that it is unequall, only
in that Sense wherein the Majority in any community ought
always to have the preference, that it has no tendency to op-
press any, nor to create Disturbances & Lawsuits between the
People of the Town, (as is Suggested) unless they will Suppose
some Persons to be so unreasonable, as to quarrel with others
for their own Carelessness, or because they have changed their
PORTSMOUTH. 255
minds. The last Paragraph of y' Petition contains an intima-
tion that Some Persons in the S d Town of Portsmouth, are de-
nied the Liberty of attending the Publick worship where they
See fit, & of Supporting a minister to carry it on, the contrary,
to which is So notorious, that we cant but Suppose it, to be
Some mistake in writing the Petition ; We humbly therefore
pray, that the order aforementioned may be repealed, & the Pe-
tition dismissed ; & in as much as we have been put to consid-
erable charge by the Petitioners, we farther pray for liberty to
bring in a Bill of Cost against them, as we understand is usuall
elsewhere in the like Cases
Tho Peirce ") Com ttee ofy e
John Pray > First Parish in
lath 11 Rogers ) Portm
&
[In H. of Rep., July 20, 1737, a hearing was ordered for
the next session. — Ed.]
[9-66] [Statement relative to Parish Matters, iyj/.~\
Gentlemen
The General Assembly of this Province at theire late Ses-
sions at Hamptown upon hearing a Petition of the South Par-
ish in Portsmouth Ordered that the said Petition lay for farther
Consideration Until the Third Day of the Next Sessions & in
the Mean time that those persons who have been Claimed by
both Parishes and were rated at both the last year Shall not be
.„ rated by the Wardens of Either of the Parishes this Year but by
. the Select men &c And in the Mean time recomended the
f Whole Affair to be Ended by an Agreement of Said parties
Whereupon we the Church Warden's of the South Parish
Afores d for and in behalfe of the same do Assure You y l Noth-
ing Shall be wanting on Our part to Comply with so reasonable
a Motion.
We cannot but think Considering we were originallv of the
Same Society And never sought A Separation but would gladly
have avoided it, as far as we judged it consistant with the Spir-
itual Interests of us & our Children And Seeing we are at pres-
ent Intermixed one Among Another as to the places of our
Abode that in reason & from that temper which Christians are
directed to Express one towards Another We might Expect A
Share in the Benifits of the Glebe. But not to insist on this at
present Any otherwise then as Your having all Along Enjoyed
this and a great many other Advantages we think Should in-
duce You to grant us our Small And reasonable Demands
256 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
And when we Petitioned that we might be Set upon an
Equal foot with your Parish which we Understand has been
censured by Some as a piece of unpardonable Ambition, we
had no such Aspireing thought as imediately to bring ourselves
to consist of Equal numbers of the persons of the same Superi-
our quality. But all that we meant was that we might be upon
an Equal foot, as to Any Countenance or Law of the Govern-
ment — And we know of no Just Claim, that one Parish Can
have on this Account of Any preheminence or Advantage over
Another And as for the Law that is Subsisting that Declares
that all Young Men that are of age & all Strangers that do not
give in there Names w'in Six Weeks to which of the Parishes
they will belong. Shall be reckoned as belonging to Yours A
great many by Vertue of this Law have been without theire
knowledge included Among You so far as to be obliged to pay
to the Support of the Publick Worship, with You tho they have
Generaly atended with us Now what we propose is
I rt That the persons before mentioned And all others who
Constantly Attend upon the Publick worship with us that at
present are rated with You be released & have the liberty of be-
ing Taxed to us. We at the same time being ready to Quit all
Such persons as pay here who Constantly Attend the Publick
worship with You —
2 diy xhat all Such as have been at Considerable Charge to
Acommadate themselves with Seats in our Meeting House that
have no interest in Any Pew or Pews in Yours May have the
liberty of paying only tons conceiveing that there being Obliged
to pay to Each Can have no other tendancy in time but to Drive
them from us both. —
3 dly That all Young men in town that are lately Arrived to
the Age of 21 Years & all Such as Shall hereafter be of full
Age & become Rateable by Law with all Strangers that are
now in Town or Shall hereafter Come to town & become rate-
able by Law That have not as yet paid rates to Either of the
Parishes as they have the liberty of Chooseing in which they
will Attend upon the Publick worship So they may have the
liberty of paying wheresoever they See meet to Attend. —
These things we imagine will Conduce to our Mutual Har-
mony which we are very Desireous to promote, And think it
our Common interest to do it. We are Sure that the granting
ofthemwillbe but A doing to others as You would in alike
Case that others Should do to You And in the Exercise of a
Christian Spirit cannot be refused, But if they are derived us by
the Parish And the Government does not See meet to give us
Redress we must wait with patience not doubting but that
Providence which ordinary returnes upon Men the Severitys
PORTSMOUTH. 257
thev Exercise upon Others will in time give us an Opportunity
of Relief-
Portsmouth Octo 1 " 3 d 1737
Gentlemen Yours at all Respective Obed C9
To the Church Wardens of the North Parish
In Portsmouth
[9-68] [First Parish Rates, 1737.]
A List of Sundry persons to be Rated by the Select Men for
this Present Year 1737 according to an order made by the
General Court at Their Session at hampton
£ S D
Cap* mark Hunking 1 — 4 —
mark Langdon 2 — o —
Francis Gammon • 0—12 — o
John Grifleth I — 2 — o
John Peirce O — 12 — o
Samuel Waters 1 — o —
Cap* John Cate 1 — o —
Cap* Phillip Reed 1— 5—
Josiah moses 1 — 15 —
Henry Terrel O — 8 —
matthew Livermore 1 — 1<
Cap* Sam 1 Cutt 1-
Ebenezer Odiorne o — 12 —
Daniel Peirce o — 15 —
John Willy o — 7 —
Sam 1 Lang Tailor o — 7 —
Peter Cow o — 9 —
John Ficket O — 7 —
The above is a true Copy from the List of Rates for The first
Parrish in Portsmouth in the year 1736 —
Portsm Novemb r 23 d 1737
A Copy Examined per
Tho* Peirce ~\
John Pray v Wardens
Nath 11 Rogers J
Sam 11 Hart
W ra Parker
Joseph Langdon
James Clarkson
A true Copy Examined per
Sam 11 Hart
I Rindge > Church Wardens
W m Parker > Selectmen
Joseph Langdon
[9—89] [Action of the Legislature on the foregoing, 1738.]
In the House of Representatives —
The Petitioners in the Annex'd Petition : and the delegates of
the North Parish of Portsmouth was heard by their Council,
The House having considered thereof, voted,
That all the Inhabitants belonging to both Parrishes that hath
been rated to their respective Parrishes shall continue to pay as
usual, Except those which have been rated to both, all those to
have one month (if in Town) or after coming into to Town, to
258 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[9-69] [List of Rates, 1737.]
To the General Select Men of the Town of Portsmouth
A List of names to be Rated by the Select men of the Town
of Portsmouth agreeable to an order of the General Court at
their Sessions at Hampton Falls in August 1737 —
£ S D
Cap* Mark Hunking i- — 15 — o
Mark Langdon & Sam 1 Waters 2 — o — o
Francis Gammon o — ^15 —
John Grirleth o — 17 — 6
George Marshall & Brothers I — 15 —
John Peirce I — 15 —
Cap* John Cate 1 — 15 —
Henry Terril o — 15 —
matthew Livermore Esq r I — o —
Cap* Ebenezer Odiorne 0—12 —
Daniel Peirce I — o—
Peter Cow o — 12 —
Josiah Moses I — o—
John Willey O — 10 —
The above List with the Sums Annexed to their names Is a
true Copy taken from the Book of the South Parish in Ports-
mouth According as they were Rated in the year 1736
Novemb r 22 d 1737 —
Geo: Walker
PORTSMOUTH. 259
give in their names to the Church Wardens of both Parrishes
declaring to which parrish they will belong, and then all per-
sons now Inhabiting in the Town to pay for their Poles & Es-
tates to where they belong (Except those that have Pews or
Seats in both Meeting-Houses they to pay to Each Parrish ac-
cording to their interest in Each)
And for young men, or Servants that shall hereafter Settle
upon the Estates of their fathers & masters shall pay their rates
to the same parish that the person did on whose Estate they
dwelt, And for such young men that come of Age that do not
settle on the Estates of their fathers or masters, as aforesaid,
and all Strangers that may Come into Town shall have the
libberty of three months to Enter their names with the Church
Wardens of both parishes with a declaration to which parrish
they will pay their rates to and they when so Entred shall con-
tinue there, and if any person coming of age, or into the Town
as aforesaid shall neglect to enter their Names in the Manner
before directed, then they shall be liable to pay to each parrish
'till such time as they do enter their names and this to be a final
Settlement any Law usage or Custome to the contrary notwith-
standing, and that the Petitioners have liberty to bring in a Bill
accordingly, and the money lodged in the hands of the Select-
men, of the Town of Portsmouth, collected by order of Gov-
erm* from the Persons rated, by both Parrishes be paid, one
halfe to the Church Wardens of the North parish, the other
halfe to the Church Wardens of the South parish, for the use
of the Parrishes.
9 r 15 th 1738 James Jeffry Cle r Ass m
[9-90] [Petition of sundry Inhabitants for the Grant of a
Township : addressed to Gov. Belcher and Council]
The Petition of Sundry of his Majestys subjects, mostly In-
habitants in the Province of New Hampshire humbly sheweth
That if there were more Inhabitants on the Frontiers of the
Province and more land cultivated and Improved the Province
would be better able to defend it self, if there should be a war
with the Indians, the public Taxes would be easier and Pro-
visions more plenty and cheaper —
Wherefore your Petitioners humbly pray your Excellency
and the Honorable the Council to make a Grant in fee of that
tract of Land lying within the Province of New Hampshire
comprehended and contained with in the following Bounds,
viz* begining at the south easterly Corner of Barnstead and from
thence to run upon the same Course as Barnstead easterly side
line runs to Winnipisseokee Pond from thence upon a Right
26o
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Angle till it comes to the Boundary Line between the Province
of New Hampshire and that which was formerly called the
Province of Main, from thence as the said Boundary Line run-
neth to the Northeasterly Corner of the Town of Rochester from
thence oft a Streight Line to the bounds first mentioned with
such conditions as to your Excellency and Honours shall seem
meet unto your Petitioners and their Associates in all to make
the Number of Sixty including your petitioners and your peti-
tioners as in Duty bound shall ever pray &c &c &c
William Parker
Benj a Walton
Thomas Wright
Nath 11 Rogers
Tho Peirce
Joseph moulton
John Ayers
John Cutt
.Solomon Cotton
Dan 11 Jackson jun r
Sam 1 Sherburne Jun r
Hen Sherburne Jun r
William King
John Sherburn of
litell harbor
Joseph Sherburn son
of Joseph Sher-
burn Eqr
Nath 11 Mendum
George Rogers
Tho 8 Newmarch
John Kennard
Henry Sherbon Jun r
of the Plains
John Dennet the Son
of Eph m Dennet
Esq r
Moses Dennet
Joseph Langdon .
Sam 11 white
George Pierce
Joseph Jackson
Moses Noble
Joseph Whipple
John Ross
Cha : Frost of N
Castle
John Shackford ju r
John Wood
Matthew Livermore
W m Frost N Castle
Benj a miller
Danel Moulton
Benj a Gambling
John Pray
Sol n Pike
Sam 11 Hart
Mech a Whidden
John Fellows
Thorn 8 Westbrook
Dannell Rogers
Samuell Sherburne
Inholder
Elliot Vaughan
Peter G re ley
Ichabod Plaisted
Eleazer Russell
[9-92] [Relative to some Fre?ich Prisoners, iy4J."\
The petetion of Fran 9 Tucker of Portsmouth in the Province
of New Hamp re Prison keeper Most Humbly Sueth that on the
31 1 " of August their was Committed to his Care by the High
Sheriff of said Province by his Excellencys order fourteen
French Prisoners and that two of them lay Sick Twelve Days
which Required Considerable Trouble and no Supply has been
made therefore your petitioner prays your Excellencv and Hon-
ours would take the Case of your petetioner under Considera-
tion and make him such Allowance as may be judged reason-
able and your petetioner as in Duty bound Shall ever pray <fcc
Fran' Tucker Pris n Kep r
PORTSMOUTH. 26 1
[R. 3—1433 [Benjamin Thomas, Louisbourg Soldier: ad-
dressed to the General Assembly, Nov. 20, 77^5.]
The Petition & Memorial of Benjamin Thomas of Ports-
mouth in said Province most humbly Shews — That your Peti-
tioner was one of the Volunteers in the pay of this Province at
the Reduction of Louisbourg — that your Petitioner at the at-
tacking of St Peters some time in the month of April last past
received a wound in his left arm by a small shot whereby he
hath not only suffered great pain lost his time and been at much
expence but also has lost the use of that arm and hath grounds
and reasons to think he cannot recover the use thereof. * * *
Benj a Thomas
[He asked for an allowance, which was granted. — Ed.]
[R. 3-145] [Petition of the Wife of Col. Moore: addressed
to the General Assembly, i^45.~\
The Petition of Mary Moore the wife of & attorney to Samuel
Moore of Portsmouth in said Province Esq r and who now is at
Louisbourg in the service of his King and Country — Most hum-
bly Shews — That the said Sam 1 Moore hath advanced consid-
erable sums for the Benefit and advantage of the Soldiers at
Louisbourof under his Command.
Sep r 27 th 1745 Mary Moore
[She further stated that her husband had drawn on her
for ;£i,ioo, old tenor, which she wanted the province to
help pay. — Ed.]
[R. 3-146] \_Dr. foseph Peirce, Louisbourg": addressed to
the General Court, May, IJ46.~\
The Memorial of Joseph Peirce of Portsm in the Province
afores d Esq ; Humbly Sheweth —
That on y e 16 th of March 1744 the Hon ble Committee ap-
pointed in this Province to Manage the affairs of y e Expedition
lately forrh'd against Cape Briton under the Conduct of Lieut
General Pepperell. Did Influence cS: agree with yo r Memorialist
to go on s d Expedition to take the care of such of the Soldiers
in the pay of the Province of N. Hamp r as might be Sick or
262 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
wouned, And did promise to pay yo r Memorialist the Sum of
twenty pounds per month for s d service, and to accept and pay
such draughts as he should xpake for the Nessisary Suppkly of
y e Medicine Chest for the use of y e afores* 1 Sick & Wounded.
* * * * * * * * * * *
Jos h Peirce
[He further stated that he was in the service eleven
months and twenty days, arriving home Feb. 6, 1745 ; that
his account for service and medicines amounted to .£245,
5, 4, of which ;£8o had been paid to him by the committee.
In H. of Rep., July 31, 1746, "Voted That y e Ballance
this account of Doc r Joseph Peirce Esq r amounting to
^165, 5, 4, be allowed & paid out of y e money in y e Treas-
ury for y e use of y e Expedition against Louisbourg, that it
be in full for his services as Chirurgeon-general to y e New
Hampshire Regiment including y e 150 men in Pay of y e
Prov e of y e Massachusetts Bay & that y e Treasurer charge
y e Massachusetts with their proportion of this & y e other
Doctor's Bills." Council concurred. — Ed.]
[R. 3-14S] \_Louisbourg Soldiers.~\
[In a petition dated Portsmouth, Aug. 11, 1746, Israel
Hodgdon stated that he was "a Soldier in the Company of
which William Cleaward was Captain in the New Hamp-
shire Regiment at Louisbourg," that he was sick and wanted
an allowance, which was granted to the extent of £ 3 2 y 10, o.
—Ed.]
1
[R. 3-149] [" Spencer Colby of Portsmouth," in a petition
dated May 12, 1747, stated that he "was Shipt a Mariner
on Board the Sloop Abigail under the Command of Capt
John Furnald in the Late Expedition against Louisbourg &
performed the duty of a Mariner the whole time of the
Siege & afterward Saving only when he was Sent on Shoar
to perform the duty of a Gunner in one of the Batteries."
He stated that he was allowed no more than the soldiers,
and " yet in dividing the plunder among them he was Ex-
cluded under the Notion of & as being a Mariner and not
Intitled to a Share of the Plunder belonging to the Sol-
diers." He asked to be allowed mariner's wages.- — Ed.]
PORTSMOUTH. 263
f 9~93] i i $ e M*V£ t° th e Establishynent of a Wo?'khouse : ad-
dressed to the General Assembly ', Dec. 7, iyj2.~\
The Memorial of Thomas Wallingford Daniel Peirce and
William Parker Esq™ Humbly Shews
That a Society of Gentlemen Considering the Great Advan-
tage which a Work House Well Accommodated with Apart-
ments and other Conveniences and a Competent Stock for Em-
ploying the poor and such as might be properly placed there,
would be, both to the persons so Employed as well as to the pub-
lic, projected a Scheme some time since to raise Money to be
Applied towards the Building such an House within and for
the Town of Portsm
That they have Carried their Scheme into Execution so far
as to have raised about Eleven Hundred Pounds old tenor for
that purpose and were about to Consult Measures for the Ap-
plication when it was suggested that such a Design might be
more Generally useful if the House was Accommodated for the
use of the Province and all such persons (as afors d ) were to be
received from every Town and there Employed : wdio under
proper care and regulation woud in a Little time instead of be-
ing a Charge, become Serviceable — that such a House would
be better for the whole, than to have one in every Town, as all
the Valuable Ends of it would be more easily as well as more
effectually attained than those of a More private kind — as also
that it might be of Service to such places as were in no Con-
dition to undertake any thing of the kind —
That your Memorialists were Chosen & Instructed by the
said Society to make a Representation of the premises to the
General Assembly, and that the money afores d in Case they
undertake the Building of such an House for the use of the
province and put the same under proper Regulations shall be
applied to the Same use under their Direction all which is
Humbly Submitted, Your Memorialists only praying the Reso-
lution of the General Assembly hereon that they may Report to
the said Society & they Consider what is further to be Done by
them —
Tho § Wallingford
D Peirce
W ra Parker *
[In H. of Rep., April 17, 1754, a committee was appointed
to take the matter into consideration. — Ed.]
264 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[9-94] [Road through yohn Pickering's Land, i6ji."\
Prov: of New Hamp r I
At a meeting held at Portsmouth by the Town July 7 th 1651 —
It is agreed on at the Town meeting that whereas there hath
been a foot path useally made Viz 1 over John Pickerings ground
from over his Dam and from thence along by the mill path unto
his next path and so nearest as Convenient way towards the
present meeting House to be Continued for the more Ease of
the Inhabitants and others as shall have Occation to travel that
way at all time and times hereafter without Leave of the said
John Pickering or Any man Elce to be Continued for Ever —
A True Copy taken Out of the Old Town Book for Ports-
mouth this 21' Day of March 1753 page 13 I
att* H Wentworth Town Cle r
[9-95 is a plan of the division of George Jaffrey's estate. —
Ed.]
[R. 3-150] [Petition of Samuel Penhallow for pay for his
services as commissary to the expedition against Canada.
He says he was in the service from July 15, 1746, until Oct.
31, 1747, and that his pay amounted to .£169. In H. of
Rep., May 18, 1748, "Voted That there be allowed ^30
more to M r Samuel Penhallow in full for his wages as Com-
missary for y e intended Expedition against Canada." — Ed.]
[R. 3-153] [ William Racklijps Petition: addressed to the
General Assembly, April 10, 1759^
The Petition of William RacklifF of Portsmouth Labourer
Most Humbly Sheweth —
That your Petitioner was a Soldier in the Canada Expe-
dition in the year 1757 in the service of the Province afore-
said, in the Company whereof Hercules Mooney was Cap-
tain and as such proceeded to fort William Henry where
after the Seige he was taken and made a prisoner by the En-
emy and Carried to Canada where he remained four months
during which time he had the Small Pox and from thence he
was Transported to France where he remained for eleaven
months and in that time had a Violent Fever and from there he
was sent to Falmouth in England where he took passage for
New York in the packet & traveled from New York to New
Haven on foot & from thence he took passage for Cape Ann &
from there he traveled on foot to Portsmouth, arriving in March
1856— * * * W m RacklirT
PORTSMOUTH. 265
[He was allowed £8$> nevv tenor. — Ed.]
[9-96] [ Objections to granting JVew Castle the privilege of
building a Bridge over Little Harbor: addressed to the
Assembly May ip, I/S7-1
The Objections of the Inhabitants of the Town of Portsmouth
in said Province against Granting that part of the Prayer of the
Petition of the Inhabitants of New Castle, in Said Province
which Relates to the Application of the Money they Propose to
Raise by a Lottery, (if they may have Liberty to set one up)
which they say is for building a Bridge over the River Call d
Little Harbour — As Liberty is Granted to any Person or Persons
to Shew why this Petition ought not to be Granted, the said
Town of Portsmouth have Chosen & Instructed us the Sub-
scribers, as their Agents for that Purpose And therefore We
Pray your Attention to what on this Matter We would Humbly
Remonstrate — viz That the Petitioners Ought not to have Lib-
erty to Apply any money at all, whether rais'd by Lottery or
otherways to the building of said Bridge, Because they have
not ask'd for leave to build it This is a thing they have no
Right to do without Special License for it from the Supreme
Authority, all Rivers, and Especially those which are Naviga-
ble, Ought to be Open the Passage free, neither Impeded or
incumber'd, it is like the use of air or Light which all men have
an Equal Right to Enjoy the Benefit of, without Impediment.
and therefore whenever any Such thing has been done it has
been by Such Liberty as aforesaid, which has been Granted
only on this Principle, That a Lesser evil may be Sustained to
procure a greater good. The Advantage Procur'd by Such
Liberty has appear'd to be greater, and more general, than the
Injury Sustain'd for it has always been Deem'd an Injury to
some by depriving them of a Natural Right, a free unmolested,
unimbarrass'd Passage, — whether the Framing this Petition in
this Manner, so as to pass over, or Beg the main Question, &
have it taken for Granted that they have a Right to build a
Bridge where they Propose, was done by Design or otherways
is Submitted, but if it is taken that it is Implied, in what they
Petition for that they ask also for Leave to build the Bridge, we
beg leave further to Observe that every Petition for any thing
of a Publick Nature, ought to be Explicit — This Petition ought
not only to have been so but thev ought to have Set forth what
kind of Bridge they proposd to build, for by this it wou'd have
Appear'd More Easily whether & how far it wou'd be Detri-
mental to others — If they can Suppose it Practicable to build
an Arch from Shore to Shore, & of such a Diameter as will
266 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
admit any Vessell that can come into that Harbour to pass
under it, & lay their Bridge on that they will meet with no Op-
position from us, it is certain a Bridge in one form, wou'd be
much more Prejudicial with Regard to passing up and down
the River than in another & therefore the whole Plan ought to
have been Shewn in the Petition or there can be no just judg-
ment, past on the Merits in favour of it, But That a Bridge
built in any way which the Petitioner can carry into Execution
wou'd be of more Damage than Advantage We Apprehend
will appear by many considerations — It is a Fact well known
that Several Vessells of considerable Burthen have come in this
way & thereby Escaped the Danger & Damage of Ship Wreck,
and the Loss of one Ship of an hundred Tons, woud be greater
than the advantage of a Bridge there, wou'd have been in a
Century past besides the use of that branch of the River is daily
increasing as the number of Inhabitants above Increase, — and
if We may Judge from the Experience of the last forty years
past, the Inhabitants on the Island are & will be daily decreas-
ing so that the Reasons for building a Bridge taken from the
accommodating a considerable number of People grow weaker
every year, — They were perhaps oti every Score Seven times
more and Stronger, in Queen Ann's War than now, on the
other hand, those who will be in some Degree (Some more
than others) Damnified & hurt by it have long been & Still are
yearly increasing, and therefore the Argument in favour of this
Proposal, Drawn from the Ballance of Advantage Resulting
from it utterly fails these Petitioners. It has been Suggested
by Some that Such a Building in the way which We can Sup-
pose Feasible by the Petitioners wou'd have a very considera-
ble Tendency to Affright and Drive out the Fish from that
Branch of the River by which many of the Neighbouring In-
habitants there are Supplied & Supported which is no small
Objection against the Scheeme, as to the Reasons given to In-
force this Petition either in that or what their Committee have
given (which is little more than dividing & Repeating what is
Suggested in the Petition) they are all Reducible to these, that
as New Castle is a Barrier by Sea, & the Fort is there, a Bridge
in time of War in Case of an Attack by an Enemy wou'd be
Convenient both for Supplying them with Men & for a Retreat,
as also it wou'd be a Probable means of the Inhabitants Re-
trieving their Decay'd Circumstances — As to the first of these
there is no manner of Weight in it but what was Vastly greater
in Queen Ann's War, and besides if there shou'd be a sudden
call for Men on Such an Occasion, they cou'd be transported in
Boats from this Town sooner than they cou'd Travel thither by
land even with the help of a Bridge, for there is no doubt the
greater part wou'd go from hence if the men came out of the
PORTSMOUTH. 267
Country, and if any came out of Hampton & Rye, they woud
soon be ferried Over so that it woud hardly be worth while to
Incumber the River with a Bridge, for Such a Precarious &
Uncertain Advantage, add to this that the Supposed Advantage
of a Bridge, to Pour in men when wanted is fully ballanced,
by giving a more favourable opportunity for Deserters to Es-
cape as to the hopes of Retrieving the Circumstances of the
Inhabitants there seems to be Little Weight in this, there is no
Prospect of an Increase of Inhabitants & Trade there, the expe-
rience of more than half a Century is against it — and as there
was more Reason for it so it was more Feasible Fifty years ago
than now — it is true the Trade and Riches of some particular
men there may, as it has for some years past Increase, who might
possibly reap some advantage by a Bridge as they woud doubt-
less draw the custom of some of the Eastern part of Hampton
& Rye by it more than at Present, but there particular Emolu-
ment is not a very Weighty Argument in favour of an Increase
of Trade, in General, nor of Inhabitants in the Place — The
Experience of all Countries Proves, the most thriving. Increas-
ing Towns after the first Settlement, is within Land or at a
considerable distance from the Harbours mouth — Upon the
whole it is Humbly Submitted whether if the thing was Sup-
posed to be reasonable it ought not to be ask'd, for that no such
Power or Right coud be granted according to Law by their
Charter, whether the Supposed Advantages to Accrue from it,
are not few & Serve but few in Comparison of the Prejudice
arising from it if done both in Respect to Weight and Numbers
for that Vessells coming in must necessarily go out again in
order to come up the River if a Bridge was there, besides the
other Damages aforesaid, — Whether the Growing Numbers of
Traders and other Inhabitants above even to the Heads of Riv-
ers and even all the Inland Towns who have any concern with
the Salt Water or any thing Transported by it or living in it
that passes by or in Piscataqua River woud not be in some de-
gree Affected by this Matter, and whether any consequences
Resulting from it can come within the Rule aforesaid, & Pre-
ponderate, all which with what may be farther Offer'd upon an
hearing is humbly Submitted and will be judged as We humbly
hope of Weight Sufficient to obtain a dismission of this Petition.
John Sherburne ~) Agents for
Andrew Clarkson >■ the Town of
John Gfrifteth ) Portsmouth
John Dennct ^
Sam 1 Penhallow > Select Men
William Knight )
[For New Castle petition, see Vol. IX, p. 566. — Ed.]
268
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[9-98] [Complaint against Market-Men: addressed to the
General Court, Nov. IQ, i/'dj.'}
The Humble Petition of the Subscribers Inhabitants of the
Town of Portsmouth in said Province sheweth —
That your Petitioners have long labored under the Burden of
an oppressive, unreasonable and destestable Custom, which,
as it is in its operation destructive to the Properties of the Sub-
ject, calls aloud on the Legislative Authority to enact such
Laws which shall discountenance, abolish & prevent the same
for the future, as being a Public Grievance & having a tendency
to subvert the present good order of the Government in general
& private Societys in particular.
Your Petitioners beg Leave to present their Complaint to y r
Excel l cv & Honours without impeaching the Characters of any
Individuals in this Town, but only in the general to say, That
it has been usual and customary for many Shop Keepers to
purchase of our country Brethren who come into town, great
quantities of Provisions of all sorts by way of Truck and vend-
ing the same again to y r Petitioners & others with an advance
of 20 per Cent upon the first Purchase, by which we are grev-
iously treated, for if these Monopolizers were once prevented
from purchasing other than necessary supplies, as may serve
their own family Consumption every Member of the Commu-
nity would then have an equal Benefit of the Markett.
The Consequences resulting from this Custom is at first
View so manifest that your Petitioners think a further observa-
tion thereon would be insulting & reflected upon the Judge-
ment of y r Excellency and Honours they therefore leave their
Complaint, not doubting but the Equity thereof will produce
such relief on the Premises as the Wisdom of your Excell cy and
Hon" may seem meet to determine
Your Petitioners as in Duty bound Shall ever pray —
W m Shackford
Monseiur Bunberry
Edw d Butler
John marshall
John Moflatt
John Wentworth
Sam 1 Griffith
William Yeaton
Rich' 1 Champney George MarshallJun Richard Chids
John Wendell Jos. Allcock Thomas Palmer
Jonathan Warner Thomas Palmer Samuel Beck
Sam. Warner Michael Whidden Moses Wingate
Pierse Long Jun r John Cutt
Wiliam Warner
William Jones
Richard Woods
Simeon Akarman
Tobias Banfill
Josiah Akarman
Nahum Akarman
Richd. Servans
Ebenz r Dearing
Caleb Beck
John Peavey
Thorn improy
George Jackson
John H ui iking
John Mendum
William Marshall
PORTSMOUTH.
269
Geo Wentworth
John Phillips
John Churchcl
George Marshall
Sam 11 Ham
W m Hunt
Richard Polly
John how
Joseph Welch
W m Gunnison
W m Welch
John Pendexter
Sam 11 Dalling
John Nelson
George Seaward
Giles Seaward
W Clagett
Gregory Purcell
Sam 1 Cutts
Samuel Moffatt
James Stoodly
Geo : Jeffrey
Hugh Hall Went-
worth
Sam 1 Appleton
Josh. Wentworth
D. Sherburne
Sam 11 Sherburne
[ohn Beck
Fohn Noble
Langdon
Odiorne
Jn° Bartlett
James Marden
Joseph Hixon
Rob 1 Gibbs
George Hart
Thomas Chadbourn
Elisha Briard
Daniel Hart
Richard Shortridge
John Dennett
Mark Fernald
Geo g King
Samuell Treadwell
Henry Sherburne
Rich'Hart
Nath 11 Shannon
Joseph Simes
Benj a Mackay
James Dwyer
Perkins Avers
Charls Banfill
Jas Gilmor
J Brackett'
Geo Boyd Jun r
George Dame
Will" 1 Pearne
Samuel Hall
James Grouard
Nath 11 Sherburne
Joseph Walker
Thomas Sherburne
Nath 11 Jackson
Tho 8 Dalling
John Lindsay
James MDonogh
N : furber
georg fearnald
Tho'Landeil
William furnel
Tho 8 Richard
Samll Barnes
Tho s Hatch
W ni Rose
William Fullerton
Ebenezer Odiorne
Joseph Moulton jun r
Paul Laighton
W m Jenkins
Henry Nutter
Epes greenough
James Whi taker
Sam 11 Waters Junior
Edward Gale
John Wheelwright
Tobias Melcher
Jonath Raw lings
Thomas Goldthwaitt
Samuel Greenough
William Gibbes
Nath 11 Mendum
John Furnald
Ezek 1 Russell
Eph M Dennett
Zech r Foss
Peter Man
Mark Nelson
John Kennard
John Loud
[In council, Nov. 27, 1765, read and sent to the assem-
bly.— Ed.]
[9-99] [Petitio?i for the erection of a Light-hottse: ad-
dressed to the Asse?nbly, June 14, 1765.]
The humble Petition of Sundry Merchants & others of Ports-
mouth and other Adjacent places Concerned in Trade Shews
That the Necessity of a Light house at Some Suitable place
near the Mouth of Piscataqua harbor has been a long time
acknowledged and desired, and is Obvious to every One,
270
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
acquainted with the Situation — For Building of which, Provi-
sion was made by the Act commonly called the Loan Act,
above twenty years ago, which vvoud Probably then have near-
ly Effected the thing, considering the Price of Labour & value
of the bills Emitted by that Act. But if Such a building was
then Estimated of such Importance, to the Safety of Navigation
& benefit of Trade it is much more So now by the Increase of
both — That the burthens & Difficulties now attending Trade of
which every One is Sensible more than when said Act was
passd is as Your Petitioners humbly Conceive a very weighty
Additional Motive to countenance any lawful Scheme fhat car-
ries a favorable Aspect towards it, and the Events of the last
Winter & Spring are strong presumptive evidences that the
Light house proposed woud be such, and Prevent in a few
Years many heavy losses. — That there is a Society of Gentle-
men in Portsmouth aforesaid formd under the Name of the
Marine Society who are more Intimately acquainted with the
Circumstances and Incidents attending the Navigation of this
River than others, who if consulted would more Particularly
Demonstrate the Necessity & Advantage of this matter and
might be of Service in their advice in the Premises —
Wherefore Your Petitioners humbly request that this affair
may be taken under Consideration what was formerly done
Considered and such further Measures Determined on and Pur-
sued Especially Such additional Sums Granted as shall best
Carry the proposal Into Execution and Your Petitioners Shall
ever Pray &c
George Boyd
John Pen ha How
Jonathan Warner
Temple Knight
James Stoodly
Joseph allcock
Will" 1 Torrey
Rich d Hart
Members of the Marine Society Viz* —
Gregory Purcell
Sam 1 Appleton
Hugh Hall Went-
worth
Daniel Rindge
Titus Salter
Nat Sherburne
Sam 1 Warner
James M c Donogh
George Turner
Geo : Janvrin
Jn° Parker
Joseph Hixon
Samuel Morllitt
John Leve
W m Whipple
Thomas Went worth Samuel Tripe
Tho' Packer Thomas Hatch
John Sherburne Richard Salter
D Peirce John Wendell
Sam 11 Dalling
Giles Seaward
W ra Knight
Nat Barrell
W y Langdon
Pierse Long
Nath 1 Adams
Edward Emerson
Joseph Mead
D l warner
J a* Nevin
Hall Jackson
Peter Shores june r
John Grirleth
Mark Duckett
PORTSMOUTH.
271
John Newmarch
Charles Treadwell
J : Tufton : Mason
Nath 1 Treadwell
A R Cutter
W Clagett
John Shackford
Daniel Rogers
Paul march
H Wentworth
Samuel Wentworth
Mark H g Wentworth
Sam 1 Cutts
Jos : Whipple
John Stavers
John Moflatt
Tobias Lear
John Beck
Richard Childs
Zeb Foss
James Guppy
Josh a Wentworth
Joseph Simes
Geo : Wentworth
Joseph Cotton
Stephen Batson
Jn° Blunt
John Huggett
John Salter
W ra Shackford
Jn° Bartlett
Mark Fernald
Daniel Sherburne
Batt Staves
Sha d Bell
Clem* Jackson Sen'
Tim y Mountford
W m Odiorne
E Russell
William Parker
Tho 8 Wibird
Philip Hooker
Noah Parker
Jno. Sullivan
Sam Hale
W m Hart
John Noble
George Marshall
John marshall
Eph r Ham
W m Gibs
Ebnzer Dearing
John Wheelwright
Joseph Tapley
[In council, June 18, 1765, the foregoing petition was
"Read Recommended & Ordered to be sent down to the
Hon ble House" In H. of Rep., June 19, 1765, "This peti-
tion being Read — Ordered that the petitioners have leave
by Mess" Jn° Sherburne, Jon a Warner, Daniel Rindge,
Sam 1 Cutts, Thomas Wentworth, Gregory Purcell, Titus
Salter and George Janvrin to take a view of Odiorns Point
& any other place w h they may think more suitable to erect
a light house on that they prepare a plan of the building,
make an estimate of the cost thereof & y e annual expence
of supporting it consider what materials will be most suit-
able for such a Building & make report to the General As-
sembly as soon as may be" Council concurred. — Ed.]
[90-100] [Petition relative to Stamp Act Riot: addressed
to the Governor and Assembly , yuly JO, iy66.~]
The Petition of Us the Subscribers a Number of the Inhabi-
tants of Said Province of New Hampshire and Loyal Subjects
to his Majestic King George and Peaceable Members of the
Province under your Excellenceys Administration, humbly
Sheweth
That whereas on the first Day of November last a number
of People were Assembled together in a Riotous manner in the
Town of Portsm in profess'd Design to oppose the Stamp Acts
takeing place, and in said Riotous manner did Damage Break
272
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
and Spoil a House Built at our Expence for the Purpose of
Worshiping God agreeable to his Word and our own Con-
sciences. —
And whereas his Majestie has Publickly made known his
royall Pleasure by a Letter from the right Hon ble M r Conway
to his Excellency to make good the Damage Sustained by his
Loyal Subject thro the means of Mobs and riotous Assemblies
about that Affair
Therefore we most humbly Informe your Excellency and
Honors that We have suffered a great Loss in the Damage
done said Building, whereby it was rendered Useless to Us full
Six months, and altho We have done our best to repair it in as
frugal a Manner as Possible to the Expence of no small sum, yet
it is Considerably marr'd with many marks of Violence. And
We most Earnestly Implore y r Excellency and Honors in your
wonted Attachment to the Honor of his Majestie and your own
Generosity and Humanity To take our Case into your Wise
Consideration, and Order Us such Redress as your Excellency
and Honors shall think Meet; and your Peititoners as in Duty
bound shall every Pray —
Nat Barrell Moses Noble
Benj a Hart Colb n Barrell
1
Nath 1 Rogers
William Fullerton
[In council, July n, 1766, the foregoing was read and
sent down to the H. of Rep. — Ed.]
[90101] [Relative to Hogs going at large."]
We the Subscribers Inhabitants of the Town of Portsmouth
Pray that the Act for Preventing the Hogs going at Large in
this Town may pass if possible this Session.
W Clagett
Peter Man
G Wentworth
Hy Appleton
George King
W m Knight
John Furnald
Josep Walker
John Penhallow
James Grouard
Geo Turner
Nath 1 Adams
Jn° Parker
John New march
James Dwyer
Joshua Brackett
W m Whipple
Robert Robertson
E Russell
Neale M c Intyer
Paul march
Jos. Whipple
Rob 1 Traill
William Marshall
Sam Penhallow
George Boyd
W J Langdon
Samuel Moffatt
Dan 1 Fowle
Benjamin Bigelow
Benj a Parker
Gregory Purcell
Richard Trusdel
Benjamin Slade
Sam 1 Cutts
John Clark
H Wentworth
Th° Martin
Thomas Wentworth
Zeb Foss
Jos Allcock
Ja* Nevin
PORTSMOUTH. 273
William Fiart Will" 1 Torrey Henry Rust
Daniel Ktogers Is : Rindge W m Shackford
Peter r r*earse Thomas Chadbourn Peter Johnson
Mark Nelson A R Cutter
[90-102] [Petition for the passage of an Act to oblige Tax-
Payers to give in their Property under Oath : addressed
to the Ge?ieral Assemb/y, Feb. 27, 77^9.]
L
The Petition of us the Subscribers, Inhabitants of the Town of
* Portsmouth in the Province aforesaid Most humbly Sheweth
That the Trade and Business of this Metropolis is so greatly
Decayed that the Inhabitants are filled with the most Gloomy
Apprehensions Espeacially the Middling and Poorer sort who
look upon themselves to be greatly Distressed and Aggrieved
by the weight of the Public Taxes which by the present method
of Assessment falls exceeding heavy on them, when they are
scarce able to provide provisions for their Familys — for the
Remedying of which Grievance and that all the Inhabitants
may be equally Taxed ; which at present they are not, the
i Select Men of the Town having no Certain Rule of Law to
Proceed by as they have in the other Provinces on this Conti-
nent.
Your Petitioners humbly Request That your Excellency and
Honors in your great Wisdom and goodness would be Pleased
to Pass a Valuation Act Obliging every Inhabitant of the Town
to give in to the Select Men or Assessors a Just and true Valu-
ation upon Oath, of All his Estate Real and Personal under
Improvement, that so each Member of the Community may
bear his equal Proportion of the Publick charges of Govern-
ment, Or that you would be pleased otherwise to Relieve the
Distrest Inhabitants of this Town, relative to the Premisses in
such other Method as to your Exc y & Honors in your great
wisdom shall Judge Meet —
And your Petitioners, as in Duty Bound shall ever Pray &c r *
Portsmouth March 31 1769 —
Jacob Treadwell Sen William Hart Rich d Champney
Nath 1 Treadwell John Hart Jun r Giles Seaward
Sam 1 Griffith John Penhallow Benjamin Bigelow
Nath 1 Treadwell Jun r John Newmarch Geo Turner
Daniel Hart Josh Blanchard Jacob Mills
Peter Man J°b n Beck Henry Sherburne
Joseph Brewster VV m Blunt James Dwyer
Michael Whidden Jn° Clapham J Brackett
Jun r W Appleton Benj a Mackay
20
274
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Sam 11 Dalling
Nath 11 Sherburne
Geo Went worth
George Marshall
Geo : Janvrin
John Stavers
Peter Pearse
Supply Clap
Chads Banrill
Geo Gains
William Furnell
Sam 1 Gerrish
Benj a Parker
Joseph Allcock
Gregory Purcell
Th° Martin Josh. Wentworth
John Sparhawk Joseph Leigh
Rich d Cutts ShannonEdmund Coffin
Geo : King
James P s King
Dan 1 Lunt
Nehemiah Wheeler
James Haslett
Edward Hart
Joseph Bass
Sam 1 Cutts
George Boyd
Neal Mclntyer
Rob 1 Robertson
Rio* 1 Hart
Clem* Jackson
Hall Jackson
George King
Dan 1 Fowler
John Furnald
John Adams
Jn° Jackson
William Fullerton
John Langdon
Joseph Day
W m Cario '
[9-104] \_Petition relative to Market, Fire- Wards, Taverns,
Small-Pox, etc. : addressed to the Ge?ieral Assembly, 1772. ~\
The Petition of us the Subscribers Selectmen of Ports-
mouth in said County, and as a Committee in behalf of said
Town, pursuant to the Vote thereof at their legal meet-
ing for the current Year — Humbly Sheweth, That some per-
sons with a view to monopolize, forestal and engross the
market of provisions, have made it a practice to buy all, or the
major part of the same before they were brought into the Town,
or immediately upon their being brought to market and to
retail the same at an exorbitant price, whereby every person
inclined to purchase at first hand is prevented therefrom & the
Poorer sort of People greatly oppressed and the good design of
establishing a fix'd market in said Town, frustrated — That the
Law for extinguishing fires in said Town is deficient in that it.
lays no penalty on any person refusing to obey the fire wards in
Case of Fire, and also in that it does not impower the firewards
to pull down any Buildings they shall judge necessary to pre-
vent the spreading of Fire in the Town — That the great num-
ber of Taverns in said Town naturally tend to the corruption
of the morals of the Youth, To promote Idleness, drunkenness,
& Debauchery and a chain of other vices very detrimental to
the well being of the Town, — That said Portsmouth being a
Sea-Port Town hath continually been, and yet is, at vast Ex-
pence in defraying the charges, and in preventing the Small
Pox & other contagious distempers from spreading thro' this
province, and for that purpose have, within Twenty Years last
past necessarily expended Eight hundred & forty Pounds law-
ful money. — That the proportion of the Province Tax paid by
the said Town appears to them unequal & disproportionate to
PORTSMOUTH. 275
what the rest of the Towns annually pay, and as the Trade of
s d Town hath long been declining & the Burthen of Taxes in-
creasing, while the other Towns in the Province have been
growing Richer, & while many new Towns have been incor-
porated & settled (since said proportion was made) which are
now able to pay a dividend of the Province Tax. — Your Peti-
tioners therefore Pray, in behalf of the Inhabitants of said Ports-
mouth that they may have Liberty to bring a Bill for prevent-
ing the forstalling & ingrossing of Provisions — To limit the
number of Taverns in said Town for the future, & to amend
the Act concerning Fires. — That Your Excellency & Honors
would reimburse and allow to the said Portsmouth the whole,
or such part of the monies by them expended for preventing the
spreading of such Contagions as may appear to you Equitable,
and that there may be a new proportion of the Province Tax.
And your Petitioners, as in duty Bound will ever Pray. —
Portsm May 22 d 1772. —
Benj* Akarman Geo Gains Geo Hart
Sam 1 Cutts William Langdon
[In council, May 26, 1772, the foregoing petition was
read and sent to the assembly, recommended. — Ed.]
[9-1 19] [Relative to a Market, etc.~\
Whereas we the Selectmen of Portsmouth, have in a general
way, prayed leave to bring in a Bill against Forestalling and
Ingrossing the market of provisions in Portsmouth, We hum-
bly beg leave to suggest to your Excellency and Honors, in a
more particular manner the propos'd contents of s d bill which
are that the house built and improved by the Town for a mar-
ket house in s d Portsmouth, be establish'd as such. That there
be a Clerk of the Market chosen annually by the Town, who
shall not sutler any unwholesome or putrid Meat, or other pro-
visions unfit for Sale to be sold there, and if any such be offered
for Sale in said Market he shall be obliged to prosecute the
Offender, that said Clerk shall not be allowed to buy any Pro-
visions in said Market but for his own family use, and upon
conviction thereof the Selectmen shall displace him and appoint
another Clerk in his stead, which Clerk so appointed shall con-
tinue in his office (except he shall offend as aforesaid, in w ch
case the Selectmen may remove and appoint as afores' 1 ) until the
next annual Town-Meeting, when a new one shall be chosen.
That every day in the year excepting Lord's days and days set
apart by Government for Religious Service shall be a market
day, the market shall be opened at Sunrise, and kept open until
one oClock in the afternoon and every Saturday afternoon, and
276 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[9-105] [Protest against Theatrical Performances, etc. :
addressed to the General Assembly, Jan. 11, 1773.]
The Petition of a number of his Majestys Dutyful and Loyal
Subjects Inhabitants of the Town of Portsmouth whose names
are under written humbly Sheweth —
That your petitioners apprehend great inconvenience to this
Town and Province from the Toleration of public Plays and
Theatrical Exhibitions that such Theatrical Exhibitions tend to
an unnecessary expence both of time & money, of more fatal
consequence at a time when the Low State of Trade and con-
tinual & just complaint of the scarcity of money, call for the
greatest, Diligence and good Economy in the Inhabitants of
the Town — that such Exhibitions by exciting the Curiosity of
the poor draw them off from their necessary Labours and in-
duce them to spend that in gratification of their Curiosity which
ought to have purchased Bread for themselves and Families —
That therefore they have a tendency to increase the number
of the poor and accordingly add to the burden of the Town
which already is nearly insupportable — that such plays and ex-
hibitions under a pretence of 'Ridiculing & Correcting have
been found in numberless Instances greatly to increase Vice in
those places where they have been in use, and have been com-
plained of as a grievance by many of the Wise and Virtuous in
the Nation —
That if encouraged in this Town they will increase the means
of Dissipation among us which are already observed with con-
cern —
That they will so engage the attention of our youth as greatly
1
every other afternoon preceeding any day set apart by Govern-
ment for religious services as aforesaid shall be esteemed Market
hours — that no Steelyards be allowed in s d Market nor any other
than sealed weights. — That all disputes in the market between |
buyer and seller concerning things bought and sold in the Mar-
ket shall be determined by the Clerk — that no person before one
oClock in the afternoon shall buy any provision in s d Market
with intent to sell the same at a greater price, nor sell any pro-
vision so bought at a greater price than given on penalty of
twenty shillings for each offence One half thereof for the use of
the informer and the other half for the poor of said Town, that
no Huckster, or any other person shall, before one oClock irt
the afternoon, in any part of said Town, buy any provision
brought to said Town either by Land or water for sale w ith
intent to sell the same again at a greater price under the pen-
alty of Twenty shillings for each offence one half to the informer
& the Other half to the poor as aforesaid —
PORTSMOUTH. 277
to impede their Progress in the most important parts of Learn-
ing both in our Schools and among our Handicrafts —
That they expose our youth to many Temptations and youth-
ful Lusts that especially We apprehend they are by no means
favourable to the great cause of Christianity but have a Ten-
dency to divert from a diligent attention to the Holy Scriptures
and a serious concern to be prepared for Death and the World
to come — That your petitioners have accordingly observed with
concern the Encouragement one M r Morgan has obtained in his
Weekly Exhibitions in this Town, and apprehend that some of
the abovementioned ill Consequences resulting from the free
Toleration of such Theatrical Exhibitions are already too plain-
ly seen among us —
That if he and his Fellow Actors after having attempted to
set up their Business in other parts of New England and being
universally refused should settle themselves in this Town in
said Business, We may Expect beside the great Expence of
maintaining him and them, We shall have others of like Char-
acter and for the same purpose Crowding in upon us to the no
small Detriment of the Town and the State —
Your petitioners therefore from a deep concern for the Hon-
| our of God, the Cause of Virtue and the Welfare of the Town
and Province Humbly Pray your Excellency and Honours that
I they may have Leave to bring in a Bill to Prohibit such Ex-
hibitions —
And your Petitioners as in Duty Bound will ever Pray &ca
* Arthur Browne John marshall Joseph Day
i Samuel Langdon Eph m Ham Abraham Elliot
I DD. Geo. Marshall Jun r Theodore moses
Samuel Haven DD Reuben Snell Samu 1 Moses .
Sam 1 Penhallow Sam 11 Dalling , Isaac Williams .
John Hurd W m Cario Jonathan Ayers
Samuel Hale Dan 11 Jackson Geo Gains
Joshua Brackett John GrirTeth Samuel Bowles
H Wentvvorth James Stoodly John Grant
John Newmarch Jos: Whipple Peter Man
Charles Treadwell Benj a Mackay John Nelson
A R Cutter W m Knight VV m Cotton
John Moffatt Mark Nelson Joseph Walton
Tho 8 Hart Geo. Hart Temple Knight
John Pickering Jun r Mark Seveay Sam 1 Cutts
Peter Pearse Rich d Hart Jos. Allcock
John Penhallow William Langdon George Dame
James Clarkson Nath 1 Treadwell Joseph Leigh
James ClarksonJun r Joseph Cotton Pierse Long
Mark Langdon Geo : Jerry Osborne John Beck
George Marshall Perkins Ayers •
2^8 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[In H. of Rep., Jan. 13, 1773, voted unanimously that the
petitioners have leave to bring in a bill. — Ed.]
[9-106] \_Relative to taking the Small- Pox, 1773. ~\
May it please your Excellency & the Hon ble His Majesties
Councell —
The Selectmen of the Town of Portsmouth being under fear-
full Apprehentions of the Small pox spreading in this Town,
from the dayly practice of Numbers of the Inhabitants of this
Town & Elsewhere ; who without propper Regard to, or leave
from the Town, throw themselves into the infection upon the
Pest House Island, and thereby make it Necessary for us to
suffer them to be inoculated, least they should spread the in-
fection the Natural way
And whereas we now hear of a Number who intend to take
the same unjustifiable Method of having the Small pox, and
that we have no Authority to prevent, or at least it is out of our
power to keep them from the Island by laying any penalty for
such a great Transgression — We therefore Humbly aske your
Excellency & the Hon ble His Majesties Councells Advice and
direction in this important matter —
Portsm June 27 th 1773
Sam 1 Cutts^)
Geo. Hart > Selectmen
Geo Gains)
[An act to prevent the spreading of the small-pox was
passed Jan. 29, 1774 ; and another, which prohibited inocu-
lation for small-pox without permission from the authorities,
was passed Dec. 13, 1776. — Ed.]
[9-107]
It is the opinion of the Selectmen, & as farr as they under-
stand the Sentiments of the Inhabitants of the Town, that ^ of
the people think it much less resque of having the Small pox
spread the Natural Way ; to have the following Method Estab-
lished for y e present — viz
1 to have the pest House used for a Hospital for inocula-
tion —
2 d that a Committee of 5 respectable persons be Appointed to
regulate the pest House & Establish the following Rules
3 d That a Doctor of fidelity be Appointed, who must reside
at the Island during the pleasure of the Committee —
PORTSMOUTH. 279
4 th That two or three persons be chosen and Sworn to con-
form to the directions of the Committee, to Attend upon y e or-
der of the House —
5 th that no person be Admitted upon the Island without
Written leave from the Committee —
6 th That if any person Clandistantlv goes upon the Island in
order to have the Small pox, shall be Subject to a penalty of
30JC Lawfull money —
7 th That any & Every person that chooses to go down to the
Pest House to be inoculated, must Apply to the Committee, &
pay them £ Lawful money for the Charge, & then obtain a
certificate from said Committee to the Docf of his having
Agreed to the Terms of inoculating —
Sam 1 Cutts Selectmen
[9-1 10] \_Defiarttire of Gov, Wentwortk, iyy^.~\
Portsmouth Aug 25 1775
Sir—
We beg leave to inform the Hon ble Provincial Congress that
yesterday his Majesty's Ships Scarborough & Canso sailed from
this Harbour 'tis said for Boston with Governor Wentworth &
his Family on board & that we doubt not the Hon bIe Congress
will in their Wisdom pay due attention to the request of this
Committee signified to them yesterday by Mr Morrison
We inclose a Vote of this Committee relative to Shipping ofl
I Fish & M r Champney who carries this will inform the Hon ble
Congress fully as to that Matter —
lam
by order of the Com" of Safety
Sir
Your most hble Servant
H'Wentworth Chairman
. To the Honorable The President of the Provincial Congress
[In provincial congress, Aug. 28, 1775, the committee of
safety of Portsmouth were earnestly recommended to use
all prudent methods to prevent the exportation of fish from
Gosport. — Ed.]
[9-1 1 2] [Portsmouth Com?nlttee of Safety to the Provincial
Congress, 1775 >~\
Comm ee Hall Portsm 9 th Nov 1775
To the Honorable Provincial Congress —
The Committee of Safety for this Town, having been favored
280 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
with a Sight of the Votes of the Honorable Congress, relative
to enlisting 200 Matrosses & 300 Soldiers, for the defence of
the several ports, at the entrance of this Harbour, intreat the
consideration of the Congress to their Petition that a larger
Number of Men may be employed for that purpose —
So many reasons concur, in favor of this our request, that
We would not trouble the Congress to enumerate them all, but
we just beg leave to mention, that the Port being the key to this
Province, and a great part of Kittery. it was the Opinion of
Generals Washington, & Sullivan, that a thousand Men were
requisite, & they have accordingly thrown up Works to cover
so many
That if so small a Number as 500, are posted there, the
Enemy, from whose late behavior, we can expect nothing but
Treachery, and Surprize, in case they can obtain by such
means, either of the ports, will make use of those very works
to dispossess us of the rest, which as they have a plenty of Am-
munition, of which We are Short, We fear they may too easily
do — That the Harbour of Boston being liable to freeze, which
is not the case with this, an Acquisition of tin's kind would
be of vast importance to the Enemy, while it would strike a
general Damp on the Inhabitants of this Colony, an Event
carefully to be guarded against at this critical Season of the
War
We beg leave only further to say, that our own personal Se-
curity, is not the only consideration, that prompts us to prefer
this Petition, We consider the Matter in a much more exten-
sive view, and doubt not the Hon ble Congress will do the same
— Our Harbour is in a manner now defenseless the Men whose
Inlistments are out being mostly gone. We have certain In-
telligence that the Fleet under Morrels command, with some
other Men of War are now at Boston. We therefore intreat
that one thousand Men may be forthwith posted at the Works
aforesaid for one Month to be under the command of the same
Field Officers who have formerly had it of whose Abilities we
entertain the highest respect & confidence And your Petition-
ers as in duty bound will ever pray &c
By order of the Corn" of Safety
H Wentworth. Chairman
[9-1 14]
Ports Mouth the 30 Day 1776
Gentlemen this to Beg the favour of you of Liberty of going to
work att my trad with Gorge hart or Noah parker Ither of them
gentlemen will Be my Bonsmen and Gentelm fourder I hav
Sarved five months in the provesel Sarvis
PORTSMOUTH. 28 1
I hav Sind all Sociation a cording too the act of Congres and
Gentelmen furder I hav no Close to my Back taking in Such a
maner that I cude not help my Self and I Should Take it a
grate favour to hav the Liberty to work and
So I am your well wishers
John Carpenter
To the Onnerable and Ginneral Commyty aft Exeter
- f [9 -II 6] [Instructions to Assembly- Men, 1776. ,]
Portsmouth December 18 th 1776 At a Public Town Meeting of
the Freeholders & others Inhabitants of said Portsmouth p r ad-
journment the following Instructions were given to the Gentle-
men Elected by them to serve in General Assembly —
Gentlemen
The free Suffrages of your fellow Citizens have Elected you
to the betrustment of their dearest Rights & Priviledges ! They
have chosen you to represent them at the General Assembly of
this State from a Consciousness of your Abilities, Integrity
i& attachment to the Public Weal ! And also they can safely de-
pend upon your firmness, yet they presume it must be more
agreeable to you, to know their Sentiments on some Public
Matters, which they cannot but think to be very Interesting to
the Community ! We therefore take leave to give you the fol-
* lowing Instructions —
I st We desire you would use you utmost Influence to procure
an Act of Assembly i That no Person should hold more than
One Place of Profit Civil or Military under this Government at
the same time ! And that no Member of the Assembly should
hold any Place of Profit while he retains his Seat in the House
as it is of the greatest Importance to the Public Interest, that no
Placemen or Pensioners should hold a Seat in the House ! We
/ have seen a too selfinteresting Principle prevailing in former
Assemblies & the observation has been general ! We think the
Public Favours ought not to be confined to a few, but extended
to many, by which our Union will be more strongly cemented !
Merit ought to be more considered & when Gentlemen of Abil-
ities are chosen into the Public Service they ought to be pro-
vided for agreeable to the Importance of their Offices —
jj 2 d,y We desire you would take the greatest Care that our
Soldiery are not neglected as they have been, by suffering
the Sutlers shamefully to enrich themselves by their Extortion,
with the spoils of those worthy men who have jeopardized their
Lives in the defence of their Country & its sacred Rights every
282 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
encouragement should be given to quiet their Fears & appre-
hension of the like base treatment in future —
^diy y^ e are concern'd to see Monopolies Extortion & Op-
pression so predominant in Town & Country by which the
Poor, the Widow, the Orphan the Fatherless & many other
Classes of People are suffering under every discouragement, &
is more Instrumental of Proselyting many to the side of our
Enemies, than even the most open Bribery & Corruption for
while we are Complaining of Oppression from the British Gov-
ernment & flying from the Effects of such Oppression, we are
made doubly miserable under the disguise of Friendship. The
Hon ble Continental Congress have recommended the Consid-
eration of these apparent Evils to all the States & we earn-
estly solicit you to prevent this dreadful Calamity, which threat-
ens disunion, discord & perhaps more dangerous consequences
than the Arms of our Enemies.
4*h y We desire your attention to the State of the Public
Funds & that you do not Consent to the making of more Money
by this State, but that you would Consult with the other States
upon an effectual method to sink the Monies already issue'd
whereby the Currency may be preserved from depreciating &
the Public Faith more secured, There are not wanting many
within Ourselves, who would wish to see the depreciation in-
creas'd as they well know this Circumstance alone, would have
a Tendency to weaken our opposition more than any other
5 t,y We desire that you would pay a great attention to any
Causes of Complaint subsisting in many Towns on the Western
part of this State & to quiet any uneasiness which they feel
from Real or suppos'd Injuries by Partial Representation, these
Complaints if they are not seasonably redress'd may ripen into
an open disaffection to our Cause as the Right of Taxation
wholly depends upon that of Representation, & is the Basis of
cur present Controversy with Britain, & if we withhold this
right from our own Brethren by an unequal Classical Repre-
sentation, we shall split upon the very Rocks, we are striving
to avoid, We pray you would preserve this Inherent Right to
the People Inviolate & sacred as it is their dearest Priviledge —
The better to make Representation equal & general (as the
Congress recommended) Let it be determined what number of
Voters shall be Intitled to a Representative not exceeding Fifty,
& that every Town should have as many Members as that
Number will admit of & send as many (if they think proper)
provided every Town pays its own Members, for we do not
think it equitable that the whole Representation should be paid
out of the Public Treasury, for perhaps many Towns may not
incline to send any Members & it would be unreasonable that
they should be Tax'd for one, when they don't send him —
PORTSMOUTH. . 283
6*hy We enjoin it on you that all Persons who have had the
public Monies should Account for the same that the general
Accounts may be forwarded to the Continental Congress, &
especially that all such monies as now are or which hereafter
may be lodg'd in the Maritime Court, may be Accounted for
Quarterly by the Judge of said Court & paid into the Public
Treasury & to be Borrowed by the Assembly untill the Pro-
prietors shall Claim the same or be otherwise dispos'd of by
the Assembly for the Public Good —
fjthj ^y e (^5^ y OU would procure a support for the Poor
of the Isle of Shoals out of the Public Treasury, to ease the
Burthens of this Town which has been at great Expence on
their Account, & at a Time when we are unable to Maintain
our own —
8 thy We would advise you to procure a Tax to sink the
Money already Emitted & that Money be hired for the Contin-
gencies of Government rather than Consent to another Emis-
sion —
9 th7 We desire you would encourage any Persons who would
undertake the Manufactories of Salt- Hemp, Malt & Bloomeries
for the Casting of Cannon & Pot Iron of every kind, also to the
raising of Wheat Flax & any other Beneficial Commodity of
Domestic Consumption —
io thy We would wish to see some Laws made for preserving
the Morals of the People & for every purpose for the Safety
Honour & Welfare of the Community —
A True Copy
Attest
• John Penhallow Town Clerk
[9-1 1 S] [Relative to having a Price Jixed on Certain Com-
modities, I777-]
To the Honourable the Council and House of Representatives
for the State of New Hampshire
The Petition of the Inhabitants of the Town of Portsmouth
who are desirous of quictting the minds of many as well to pre-
serve an Unanimity in the Common Cause —
- Sheweth,
That notwithstanding the many sore Distresses this unhappy
( Country is now suffering by the wanton Cruel and unrelenting
hand of Britain's King & his minions ; Yet there are among
ourselves (both in Town & Country) many who for want of vir-
tue (that inestimable Jewel) have lost sight of the Grand object
which they ought to have in view by oppressing the Industrious
284 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Tradesman Labourers & others in their Exorbitants & unheard
off demands for almost every Commodity that by the Dispen-
sation of Divine Providence they are favoured with ; which will
prove a Curse rather than a Blessing, unless a speedy reforma-
tion takes place, at present it appears doubtfull as the fear of
Got! & Love for their Country seems not to dwell in them and
no other prospect for redress presents then for your Honors in-
terposeing therein by assertaining & Limiting by Law certain
prices for the common necessaries of Life (without takeing no-
tice of superfluous Articles) as in your Wisdom mav be thot con-
sistant with sound policy for the better secureing peace & unan-
imity among the people in General as many appear discour-
aged thereby which at this Critical time ought to be wisely Con-
sidered in order to prevent evil Consequences attending which
may not at present be foreseen — Your petitioners at the same
time beg leave to observe that they view the present Era big with
the greatest importance respecting the political Event of this
New World and have no doubt by the blessing of God, we
shall finally come off Conquerers provided we hold ourselves
United which may be effected by viewing the publick Cause
our private Concern and despiseing a sordidness of Gain ex-
torted from our Neighbours at this day of puplick Calamity —
And your petitioners in Duty bound shall ever pray —
Portsmouth January 6 th 1777 —
In Publick Town Meeting the petition being read a second
time —
Voted
That it be preferred to the General Assembly of this State for
their Consideration. — '
Portsmouth January 7 th 1777 —
a True Copy
Attest John Penhallow Town Clerk
[An act fixing the prices of the necessaries of life, etc.,
was passed Jan. iS, 1777, and an additional one the tenth
of April following. — Ed.]
[9-1 21] [Letter from jfo/in Langdon relative to the Enemy
at Penobscot, 1779.]
Portsm June 30 th 1779 —
Gen*
there Seems to be great Exertions, to procure Sufficient force
to go against the Enemy Penobscot, and as it Seems a Duty to
PORTSMOUTH. 285
Assist a Sister State, I could wish that we may Not be behind
hand. I have therefore taken the liberty to mention it to Honb 1
Committee of fiting out Some Ship from this port to Joine
those from the Massachusetts, in Destroying or Driveing the
Enemy from our Coasts, We have the Ship Hampden now-
here that might be got Ready in Short time, She partly belongs
here, partly at Boston. — the State must take here, and have her
Appraised, and fited at their Risque — I should be Exceding
happy if Such a Matter Could be Bro't ab l and would give every
Assistance in my Power. —
I am Gen 4 your most Obd S*
John Langdon
[9-123] [Petition to Jit arid send the ship Hampden against
the Enemy, I779>~\
Respectfully Shew The Subscribers Inhabitants of said State
That they are alarmed by a late descent of the Enemy on the
Eastern Shore of the State of Massachusetts-Bay, That we are
informed Said State of Massachusetts are exerting every Nerve
to oppose the progress of the Enemy in that quarter —
And as the Situation of this State exposes us to the Attacks
of the Enemy should they establish their Power at Penobscot,
We humbly concieve it highly for the Advantage of this State
as well as for the general Benefit of t lie United States of Amer-
ica that immediate opposition should be made, & that we shoud
heartily Joyn with our Neighbour State by furnishing what lit-
tle Assistance may be in our power to oppose the Common
Enemy — For which purpose we would propose that the Ship
Hampden may be Commissioned, Fitted & Man'd (which we
concieve may be imediately done by Volunteers) with all ex-
pedition, to joyn & Coopperate with our Brethren of the Massa-
chusetts —
We hope that our honest intentions to promote the public
good will apologize for our forwardness in suggesting this Mat-
ter to the Honorable Committee of Safety —
Portsmouth 2S th June 1779
Joshua Brackett Theodore Atkinson Samuel Fernald
Joseph Simes J°hn Shcrburn Thomas Sheafe
H Wentworth John Penhallow Rob'Jenness
John Parrott Josh. Wentworth E Russell
Joseph Bass Thomas Palmer Samuel Briard
Jonathan Warner Sam 11 Dalling J°bn Wendell
Geo Wentworth Nath Folsom Henry Sherburne
286 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Moses Woodward Giles Seaward Tobias Warrener
Neal Mclntyer James Whitaker Daniel Rogers
John Cutt " Edward Sargent Nath 1 Treadwell
A R Cutter Sam 1 Hutchings Sam 1 Penhallow
James Grouard Henry Nutter Nahum Ward
Peter Man Pierse Long James Haslett
Jacob Treadwell W m Cotton Rob* Parker
Jeremiah Libbey Geo : King Sam 1 Gerrish
H Appleton Samuel Hill J. Whipple
Benjamin Slade James Gooch
[9-1 22 J \_Statement of the Condition of Matters in Tozvn r
W9-]
State of New Hampshire. Rockingham ss. ■
At a Town-Meeting Warn'd and held at the West-Chamber
in the State-House at Portsmouth by Adjournment October I st
1779—
The Report of the Committee represent'g the distrest State
of this Town being read.
Voted, That it be Accepted, And a Copy thereof be given to
the Representatives of this Town, to Lay before the General-
Assembly at their next Session.
The Committee Appointed to prepare a representation of the
distrest State of the Town, beg leave to Report that upon Ex-
amination they find that out of Twelve Thousand Tons of Ship-
ping, which prior to the present War were owned here An-
nually, there are not more than Eight Hundred Tons now,
That Trade of all Sorts hath lessen'd in the same Proportion,
That on the 27 th of July last, there were no more than 383 Men
upon the Train-Band and Alarm-List, The rest of the Men be-
longing to the Town were in the Navy Army or Captivity, ex-
cept a few Persons in Privateers belonging to other States —
That all the Current Cash in the Town is insufficient to pay the
Taxes the present Year — That early in the War a resolve pass-
ed the General-Court of this State, order s the Inhabitants of the
Isle of Shoals to remove from thence, to prevent any Intelli-
gence which might otherwise be given to the Enemy. In Con-
sequence of which this Town has been burthen'd with the poor-
er Sort of them since that Time, which is a great Addition to
the Expences thereof — That the Annual Expcnces of this Town
for the Support of the Poor Amount to near Thirty Thousand
Pounds- — That the Lodgment of the Enemy at the Eastward,
hath deprived the town of its Principal Resources and greatly
PORTSMOUTH. 28/
increased the Price of Wood and otherwise very much ob-
structed the little Trade it had left — That the Town being con-
stantly exposed to sudden Attacks and Depredations of the En-
emy render it unsafe was it in its Power to furnish Men to be
remov'd to any considerable Distance, all which distressing Cir-
cumstances consider'd must make it appear to every Impartial
Person That the State and Continental Taxes for this Town
ought to be reduc'd in Proportion to the Reduction of their
Trade and Augmentation of their other Distresses —
Portsmouth September the 29 th 1779
A. R. Cutter
♦ John Parker
John Pickering
Peirse Long
Port'sm Octob r 5 th 1 779 —
a True Copy Attest
I \ John Penhallow Town Clerk
I
*
[9-124] [Relative to Town Affairs, 1780: addressed to the
General Court, ,]
The Freeholders & Inhabitants of the Town of Portsm at
their Annual Meeting held this day by Adjournment taking into
their consideration the very large and disproportionate Tax laid
on them by Government, for the present Year, and being fully
Conscious of their utter Inability to discharge it, beg leave to
lay before your honors a true State of their Present unhappy
] Scituation, and leave it with your honors to Judge how, & in
what manner you can best Alleviate & redress their suffrings. —
This being a Sea-Port Town, the Inhabitants depend intirely
♦ on Trade & Navigation for their Support; — when this fails
them, they must soon be reduc'd to Poverty & want. — How far
this has been the case will appear. —
In the Year 1774 the Shipping belonging to this Port
amounted to twelve thousand Tons, — this by a gradual diminu-
tion from that Period is now reduc'd to about five hundred
Tons. — This has not only been a Loss of so much Trade to the
Town — of employment to the Mechanic & Labourer — but a to-
tal Loss of so much Property to the several Individuals. — at
least % ths of the Shipping (by an exact estimate lately made)
which sailed from this Port since last fall, has since been taken
or lost. — The Depreciation of the Currency and high price for
the necessaries of Life, have been another source of misfortune
& Loss to this Town which has been necessarily Ondebted to
the Country for the chief of such supplies, for' which the bulk
of the People have had nothing to pay but money — whilst the
288 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
1
former has been supplied within himself, — his chief Stock that
is, his Lands, remaining whole — nor has this Town sustain'd
greater Loss, in what its Inhabitants have purchased than
in what they have been forc'd to sell — Many suffer'd extreamly
& some were rui.n'd by the Regulating Act — Vast quanitaties
of Rum & other Merchandise were sold at the Stipulated Prices,
while in a month or two afterwards rive times the sum would
not replace the same Articles. — And what added sorely to this
misfortune — there was an Act, or Order of this State Compell-
ing People to deliver up Particular Articles at the Stated Price,
on pain of having them taken from them by force — And these
were not Paid for by the Publick till the Articles had risen in
value — Ten-fold. —
The Act pass'd in the begining of the War obliging the In-
habitants of the Isle of Shoals to remove from thence, has
thrown the Poorer sort of them upon this Town, and added
greatly to the expences thereof. — The Annual charges of which
for the support of the Poor the present year, being like to
Amount to at least Eighty thousand Pounds. — The Lodgment
of the Enemy at the Eastward — hath amazingly increas'd the
Price of Wood & otherwise much Obstructed the little Trade
we had left — Another very great Loss has been sustain'd by
Persons in the Town who have had large sums of money at In-
terest in the Country, who have sunk ^ ths of such Estates — by
being forced to receive their several Debts at the Nominal
Value — Add to all this the Great Loss the Town suffer'd on the
Alarm about 3 Years ago, in being Oblig'd so suddenly to
remove with their Effects out of Town, the Expence of moving ;
the Damage & loss of Such Effects; & the Charge of keeping
them so long in the Country. —
These, and many other causes which it would be tedious to
mention, have redue'd this once flourishing Town, — to its
Present low & distress'd Scituation — A Scituation — more deplor-
able than that of any Sea-Port Town on the Continent, that
has not been Actually in the hands of the Enemy — Multitudes
are reduced from easy Circumstances, to want & beggary, and
half the Inhabitants at least have frequently been without Bread
or Fuel —
From this Account of our Scituation, your honors will Judge
whether we are in a Capacity to pay such a Tax as we are As-
sessed. — We leave it wholly with your honors to admit what
part thereof you think Just, and we doubt not it will be no In-
considerable part thereof —
State of New-Hampshire Portsmouth
At a Town meeting held the 13 th day of June 1780 by ad-
journment Voted, that the above Report be accepted — and that
PORTSMOUTH. 289
John Pickering &JM Sewall Esq™ be a Committee to enforce
the same at the Gen 1 Court in behalf of y e Town
John Penhallow Town Clerk
To -be considered by the Com" of the Whole
£9-125] [Instructions to Representatives, i/So.J
Att a legal Town Meeting held at the West-Chamber in the
State-House in Portsm by Adjournment Nov 27 th 1780 —
v Voted, that the following Instructions be given to the Repre-
sentatives of this Town Viz
To William Whipple John Langdon and George Gains
Esq"
Gentlemen,
Your re-election at this important crisis, is a fresh testimony
of the affection of your Constituents and of our confidence in
your abilities and integrity ; but as we judge you desirous to
find yourselves supported in the fai.thful discharge of the high
trust reposed in you by our suffrages, we have thought fit to
give you the following Instructions while we depend upon your
best exertions to carry them into effect.
It is not to be expected, amidst the various and important
objects which must demand your consideration in the present
situation of public affairs, we should pretend to point out any,
but such as ought to engage your earliest attention : of which
^ kind we esteem the filling up this State's quota of the Conti-
nental army during the war ; providing every thing necessary,
& convenient for officers and privates, establishing their pay
upon a certain and unfailing basis, and punctually complying
with all promises made them. The least inattention to this
momentous object, we consider both impolitic and criminal.
At a time when our obstinate foes are pluming themselves on
their skill in financing, building their fond hopes of conquest
upon our want of experience in that art, and the failure of our
paper currency ; while our agriculture, alliances and resources
are increasing, with pungent sorrow, we behold our medium of
1 trade, the nerves and sinnews of our defence labouring under
the loss of public faith ! Without enquiring into the policy of
former administrations, or faulting them for not providing funds
adequate to its support, or for taking other measures to prevent
its depreciation, which have had a contrary effect; realizing
that public and private credit must ever be supported by integ-
rity and honour ; we instruct you to revise all the laws now ex-
isting respecting our paper-currency, and to use your influence
for the repeal of any inconsistent with those principles; and for
21
29O EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
enacting such as shall give credit and permanency to the cur-
rency, rescue the widow and orphan from the hand of oppres-
sion and injustice, and fix a lasting criterion for commutative
justice between the subjects of this state, that none in future
may have just cause of complaint.
Convinced from reason and experience, that all embargoes
and restrictions of trade between the States, are anticommercial
and tend to destroy the harmony and friendly intercourse which
the principles of the american constitution are calculated to en-
courage and cherish, we recommend it to you not to consent to
any such embargoes and commercial restrictions but on the con-
trary that you upon all occasions strive to preserve the most in-
timate cordiality and friendly intercourse between these states,
ever emulous, with care and caution, to nurture and bring to
maturity a plant of such nice contexture.
The protection of our Seacoast and frontiers is so necessary &
will so naturally come under your consideration, it would be
needless to instruct you about it.
The frequent and almost constant alteration in the number of
inhabitants, and quantity of property in many of our towns,
evince the expediency of making a new proportion of public
taxes annually. — We need not mention to you, the Representa-
tives of this once commercial flourishing town, its present im-
poverished, distressed condition as a forcible argument for the
alleviation of our public taxes.
Acting in the legislative department, you will not be unmind-
ful of the judicial ; but studiously endeavour, to render the
courts of law independent of every kind of undue influence,
while you provide salaries for the justices of the superior court
of judicature, adequate to the arduousness and importance of
their office ; the final decision of property and life.
With deep concern we notice, the almost unbounded juris-
diction given by many acts of the state to Justices of the peace,
whereby the trial by jury is curtailed, and the grand palladium
of our liberty and security endangered, wherefore we instruct
you to use your influence for the repeal of such acts or clauses
therein and to prevent the like in future
Agreeably to the desire expressed in the precepts for chusing
members of the General Assembly, we impower and instruct
you to vote for calling a convention for the purpose of forming
a new and permanent plan of Government.
Pleased to see the last General Assembly sitting at the an-
tient seat of government and present seat of intelligence in the
very house built and designed for that purpose we reasonably
expect you will solicit the General Assembly of which you are
members, to sit here also, in which we entertain the pleasing
hopes of your success, as their sitting here abstracted from other
1
PORTSMOUTH. 29 1
motives, will be as convenient for the members in general, if
not more so, than the place where they are to convene
The proper security and humane treatment of prisoners of
war, at this unhappy period, is an object which merits your at-
attention, and for which purpose, places more suitable for their
reception and confinement should be immediately provided.
We wish an enquiry into the State of the treasury as well as
frequent adjustments of all public accounts.
In fine encourage cherish and protect literature and the sci-
ences, virtue and piety — conform all your measures to the eter-
nal rule of rectitude and you cannot fail of the applause of your
fellow citizens and of the approbation of your own con-
sciences. —
Portsmouth November 29 th 1780 —
Attest John Penhallow Town Clerk
[R.. 3-159] [Memorial of Maj. Samuel Sherburne: ad-
dressed to the General Assembly, iy8o.~\
The Petition of Sam 1 Sherburne of Portsmouth in the state
aforesaid sheweth. That on or about the last of July 1778,
your Petitioner in compliance with a recommendation of the
Honb 1 Committee of Safety, to the Militia of this state, voluntari-
ly turned out & put himself under the command of Gen 1 Sulli-
van on an expedition against Rhode Island. That he was
there appointed to the office of Brigade Major and in y e action
of the 29 th of August [177S] lost his left Leg by a shot from
the Artillery of Enemy. He therefore requests to receive the
benefits appointed by Congress in such cases, and to be put on
y* half pay establishment to commence from y e day of his being
wounded — and that y e surgeons Bill may be allowed — and your
Petitioner as in duty bound shall ever pray
Sam 1 Sherburne
[In council, June 16, 1780, he was allowed ,£890 for his
doctor's bill. — Ed.]
[R. 3-160.]
[Simeon Fernald, under date February 3, 1780, stated
that when the expedition was formed against Penobscot he
enlisted and went on board the ship Hampden, but escaped
in a boat when the ship was captured. He was sick, and
died three days after, as certified by Dr. Hall Jackson, Feb-
ruary 12, 1780, at which time his widow, Margery, applied
292 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
for relief, stating that she had six small children, and was
destitute. — Ed.]
[R. 3-163.] [Petition of Mrs. Lewis for an Allowa?ice, iy8o.~\
To the Honourable the Councile and the House of Represent-
atives for the State of New Hampshire Now Convened at Exe-
ter for the Dispatch of Business. The Humble Pition of Eliz-
abeth Lewis of Portsmouth, Humbly Sheweth to your honours
That when it was the sovereign Pleasure of the suprem Direc-
tor of all Human Events to Permit a Spirit of Timidety to Seize
the Bulk of the British Nation in Suffering their Rulers to Pur-
sue such a Systim of Policy Disgracefule to them as a Nation
Inasmuch as their Conduct was Unjustifiable by the Fundamen-
tals of their own Constitution and when it Become the Indis-
pinsible Duty of the Inhabitants of these States for the Preser-
vation of their Own Libertys as well to Guard the sacred Dis-
port the Natural Rights of Posterity to embody a Number of
its Freeman to Counteract the Flagitious and Sanguinary
Disigns of Evil & Disingning Men — That John Lewis the only
Son of your Petitioner Engaged in the Service of his country in
troops Raised by this State for the Preservation of American
Liberty as Early as the year 1775 That on the 6 th Dec br 1776
he Inlisted into the Company of Cap 1 Benjamin Titcomb Dur-
ing the Present war That on the 26 th following at the battle of
Trenton he served the Sacred Cause & paid the Last Trible
Due to his Country by Breathing his Last in its Service. * *
* * *
her
Portsm°June 10 th 1780 Elizabeth X Lewis
mark
[9-127] [Relative to Parish Bounds: addressed to the Gen-
eral Assembly, Dec. 18, 1782.]
Humbly shew the subscribers Wardens of the North and
South Parishes in Portsmouth in the county of Rockingham
and State aforesaid in behalf of the parishioners of said parishes,
that the parishes aforesaid not being bounded by any lines, the
parishioners of the respective parishes cannot be ascertained
without great difficulty and trouble, and when ascertained &
taxed to the parochial charges, the collection of a considerable
part of the taxes, is often rendered impracticable, by reason of
many such parishioners being absent at sea & elsewhere.
The arrearages so incurred and increased from year to year
either remain unpaid or are paid by such as have before paid their
1
PORTSMOUTH. 293
quota. The difficulties and burdens aforementioned your peti-
tioners, conceive, would be in great measure removed & the
collection of the taxes facilitated, were the parishioners of the
respective parishes impowered to assess and lay such parochial
taxes on the Pews in the Meeting-houses in each parish, or on
the pews, polls & estates of said Parishioners, as might be
found most convenient & equitable ; and were the Collectors
also of each parish impowered to sell at public vendue the pews
of the delinquent owners for non payment of future taxes, which
may be laid thereon, with incident charges, returning the over-
plus money, if any, to the owners of the pews so sold : Where-
fore your petitioners humbly pray, that, the parishioners of
said parishes respectively may be impowered to assess, lay and
collect such parochial taxes in manner aforementioned and that
your petitioners may be permitted to bring in a Bill for that
purpose and your petitioners as in duty bound will ever pray
&c
John Sherburne ~) Wardens
Sam 1 Penhallow > of the North
Benjamin Akarman ) Parish
Pierse Long ~\ Wardens
John Pickering V of the South
Thomas Sheafe ) Parish
[R. 3-166] \_Richard Sherman's Petitio7i : addressed to the
General Assembly, 1782.']
The Petition of Richard Sherman of Portsmouth Humbly
Sheweth — That your petitioner enlisted in the Continental
service in the year 1777 — that at the retreat from Ticonderoga
he was wounded by the enemy in the hip : that afterwards, at
the Capture of Burgoyne, he was wounded in the arm — and
lastly with Gen 1 Sullivan, at Susquehanna, he was wounded in
the body the ball passing, after entering the breast, thro' the
shoulder ;
* * * Rich d Sharman
Portsmouth Dec r 25 th 17S2
[R. 3-167] [Soldiers' Order.']
Portsmouth August 2S ,h 17S2 —
Sir —
Please to pay The Town of Portsmouth the whole of wages
due to James Lock & Theodore Marston as Soldiers in Cap*
294 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Parsons Company in Coll 1 Runnells Regiment Last year for
Said Town Being for Value Rec d by their Orders —
Simon Marston
To the Hono bl Meshack Weare Esq r
1
[R. 3-168] [Supplies to Soldiers' Families."]
The Town of Portsmouth To Jeremiah Libby D r for Sup-
plies to the Continental Soldiers Familys Since Jan y 1, 1781
Viz 4
1 781 William Russells 804.6
Noah Allards 182. 16
Edward Goatham 154.10
Rich d Sheerman 213. 6
John Jones 450 —
John Shute 284. o
John Humble 210.14
Thomas Shaw 341 —
1836 14
2641. o
Commissions (a) 10 per c* 264 —
£2905. —
Portsmouth March 21, 1781
Errors Excepted
Jeremiah Libbey
the truth & Justice of this Ace* was Sworn to by Jeremiah
Libbey
Before Geo Gains Jus Peace
[R. 3-169] \_Sup plies to Soldiers' JFcifnilies.']
The Select Men of the Town of Portsm To Jeremiah Libbey
— D r
for Supplys to the Following Soldiers Familys Since April 1,
1 78 1 Viz u —
1781 Richard Shermans IOO.16
John Shutes 65. S
John Humbles 37. 4
Noah Allard for his Mother 60 —
Thomas Shaw's 252.12
PORTSMOUTH. 295
John Jones's 243.12
Edward Goatham 138. 11
898. 3
Commissions fa) 10 per c* 89.16
Lawful m y of the Old Emission .£987.19
Portsm May 20 th 17S1
Errors Excepted
Jeremiah Libbey
1 78 1
May 25 By an Order on Coll 1 Akerman for the Above Sum
£987.19 Jeremiah Libbey —
the truth of this Acco* Was Sworn to by Jere h Libbey
Before George Gains Jus Peace
[R. 3-170]
The Town of Portsmouth To
Supply Clap
— D r
For Supplies to the following
tinental Service to June, 17S3,—
Soldiers Family's in the Con-
-Viz 4 —
John Jones
Jon* Shute
Edward Goatham
James Jones
George Abbott
Samuel Odiorne
To my Com 11 on d° (a
£7.16.6
5~
5- 2
10
per Cent —
3.16 —
3.18-
4.16 —
£30.8. 6
3.0.10
£33-9- 4
Portsmouth June 17S3 Errors Excepted, —
Supply Clap.
[R. 3-1 71] [Bounties to Soldiers.']
John Collins in 1778 5,15? 7 Thomas Shaw 24, 2,7
Noah Allerdi78o& 17S1 4,13, 9 William Busull 19,10,0
John Jones 58,19, 3 Abraham Senter 5, 4,3
Edward Gotham 23,18, 2 Robert Stockle 1,14,2
David Duncan 7, 4,11 Stephen Swetser 4,16,8
Philip Cooper 9>*3i 6 Thomas Waters 5, 3,5
296 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
W m Gale
4, 3,10 Joseph Hull
3,16,6
Rich d Sherman
28,19,10 John Shute
28, 4,0
Geo Abbot
24, 4, 6 John Humble
8,16,0
Solomon Abbot,
1,15, 3 James Jones
4^ 8,3
Benj a Cross
2, 1, 9
276,19,2
Philip Cooper D r
to Selectmen Portsmouth
*9>3
2 7 7,iS,5
In Committee on Claims
Portsmouth 13, 1785 The above Sums (amounting -to Two
Hundred Seventy seven pounds eighteen shillings & five pence)
advanced by the Town of Portsmouth for Bounties & supplies
have been deducted from the above Soldiers depreciation
Ex d per Josiah Gilman
Portsm June 14 th 1785 —
Reed an Order on the Treas r for the above Sum
In behalf of Selectmen —
Geo Gains
[Portsmouth Men in the Revolution — Copied from Revolu-
tionary Papers in Secretary's Office. ~\
[P. 49] Jedediah Nock, age 25, Cilleys Regt in 1778
Edward Smith, age 40,
[P. 53] Samuel Johnson, age 45,
[P. 55] George Yeaton, age 17
George Abbott, age 36
Abraham Senter, age 27
John Davis, age 22
Roberts Stockels, age 31
The 6 following enlisted in Capt. James Carr's Company and
received each £20, bounty
44
44
44
44
44
44
Nathan
Hal
e's
Batt.
44
44
44
a
44
44
a
44
44
44
44
44
Age
Enlisted
[P. 265] John Wright
21
Feb. 11, 1777
John Rawlins
22
44 l7? 44
Thomas Quint
IO -
44 ^ 44
Thomas Warren
2 1
Mar. 10 "
Abraham Senter
2S
Feb. 17 "
John Mehon
47
l< J7 44
[P. 63] John Archibald, & Samuel Lear, Cap. Carr's Co.
[P. 295] Soldiers enlisted for the Town of Portsmouth for three
month, Sept 17S1 —
l
PORTSMOUTH. 297
Sam 1 White Cate James Lock Jon* Blue
John Clark John Mills Joseph True
Solomon Rundlett Enoch Butler Ezekiel Knowles
Wm Mardeti Theodore Martin Benj a Page
W Y. Ham Jer h Avery Tho 8 Ayers
[P. 325] [Men in 2d N. H. Reg't, Camp New Hampshire
Village, Feb. 14, 1781 : Noah Allard, Matthias Welch. The
latter belonged in Portsmouth, but enlisted for Rochester.]
[9—130] [ Vote on the Eighth Article of Co?zfederation.~\
At a Town Meeting of the Freeholders and Inhabitants of
Portsmouth held October 23, 17S3
The Recommendation of Congress for making an Alteration
in the Eighth Article of the Confederation being taken into
Consideration —
Voted—
That the Representatives of this Town be not Impowered to
Comply with said Recommendation, but on the Contrary be &
hereby are Instructed to Oppose it
Portsmouth October 27 th 17S3
A True Copy
Jeremiah Libbey Town Clerk
[See Vol. XI, p. 318.— Ed.]
[9-133] [Petition of the Wardens of Queen's Chapel: ad-
dressed to the General Court, Feb., 1783.']
' Humbly sheweth
The Wardens of the Parish of Queen's Chapel in Portsmouth
in said State in behalf of the Parishioners
That it hath been the constant practice of said Parish to tax
the pews in said Chapel & the polls of the parishioners for the
Support of the Ministry, repairs of the Church and other Ex-
pences of the Parish — that many of the Owners of pews in said
Chapel have been greatly delinquent in the payment of the par-
ish Taxes and some of the parishioners have been obliged to
advance considerable Sums more than their proportions of the
necessary Expenccs of said parish, that the said parish conceiv-
ing this an unreasonable Burthen have voted that their Church
Wardens petition your honors that your honors would be
pleased to pass an Act to enable and impower the Church
Wardens for the time being to make sale of the pews of the
Owners who are delinquent as aforesaid for the payment of their
298 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
1
Taxes now in Arrear and unpaid & for any Delinquency that
may be hereafter and your petitioners as in Duty bound will
ever pray, &c — I
Geo : Jaffrey ) Church
Geo : Turner j Wardens
Portsmouth October 17 th 17S5—
[The foregoing petition was granted by an act passed
March 2, 1786. — Ed.]
[9—138] \_Relative to the layuig out of a Road: addressed to
the General Court, June, iy86.~\
Humbly shew the subscribers, Selectmen of Portsmouth in
the county of Rockingham & State afores d in behalf of the in-
habitants of said Portsmouth, that Willam Weeks, Ephraim
Pickering & Joseph Dow, Esquires, as a Committee appointed
by the Court of General Sessions of the Peace for said County
to lay out a road from that which runs by Rye Meeting House
to Long Lane so called, did on the 5 th day of May 17S4 lay out
and make return of the same in the following words viz. '' VVe y r
subscribers appointed by the hon ble Court of General Sessions
of the peace to lay out a road from that, which runs by Rye
Meeting House to Long Lane, so called, have done the same
in the following manner viz Beginning at the Southeast corner
of land of Samuel Rand and Benjamin Marden. thence running
on the Easterly Side of said Land, North about 31 degrees west
80 rods, thence North 15 degrees west through a corner of
Samuel Dowse Foss's land, leaving as much off a corner of said
Rand and Maiden's land into s d Foss's land on this point 11
rods — to be fenced by the Parish of Rye, thence Northwest
about 40 degrees 1S0 rods to Portsmouth Line — which road we
have laid out two rods wide and have estimated the land being
two acres and twenty two rods at ten pounds ten shillings to be
paid to y e said Rand and Marden by the Parish of Rye — the re-
moving and building 171 rods of fence to be done and paid by
the said Parish of Rye — From the said Portsmouth Line we
proceeded North about 47 degrees West on the Easterly side of
Mark Lang's land 173^ rods, thence on the same course on the
Easterly Side of Sherburne's land 121 rods to the said Long
Lane road — It appeared to us, that, there was a privilege of a
road three rods wide from said Long Lane to Newcastle and
Portsmouth Line, nearly in the same place where we have laid
out said road, and we have Estimated the making 173^ rods of
Fence at thirty pounds to be paid to M r Mark Lang by the
Town of Portsmouth and the making of 121 rods of fence at
PORTSMOUTH. . 299
twenty one pounds three shillings to be paid to said Sher-
burne by said town of Portsmouth: — Your petitioners further
shew ; that said Committee did by mistake report that they had
laid out said road from Portsmouth to Newcastle Line on the
Easterly Side afs d Lang's and Sherburne's lands, when the s d
ancient road does not run thro their lands, but thro' the lands
belonging to other persons, said Committee did also awarde
large damage to said Lang and Sherburne to compensate them
for making the number of rods mentioned in s d report when in
fact their fences then stood on the Westerly bounds of said an-
cient Road, that running by the westerly side of "their lands,
which Road your petitioners, conceiving to be laid out as it was
anciently reserved for that purpose, have actually laid open and
expended large sums of money in making the same passable,
which must be entirely lost and the public greatly injured unless
y e road as actually opened and made as afores d should be estab-
lished, Wherefore they in behalf of s d Inhabitants, pray, that
the return of the said Committee, so far as it respects the laying
out of s d road by them thro' said Portsmouth and the proceed-
ings of the General Sessions afores d thereon may be vacated and
nullified, and that your petitioners may be enabled to get the s d
ancient Road established as the law directs, and they as in duty
bound will ever pray &c
John Noble *) Selectmen
John Sparhawk > of
W m Gardner ) Portsm
[In H. of Rep., Jan. 4, 1787, the petitioners were granted
leave to bring in a bill.]
[9-139] [Relative to Duties on Imported Goods: addressed
to the General Court, yu?ie, 1787 .]
Humbly shew the subscribers, that they have been taxed in
common with the other subjects of the State towards the sup-
port of government, which they have always chearfully paid —
besides which your petitioners being concerned in trade & nav-
igation have been and are subjected to a heavy impost duty on
articles imported by them in the necessary course of their busi-
ness — Which additional tax while trade was in a less embar-
rassed condition Si when received by the Impost-Officer in or-
ders on the Treasurer of the State, was more tolerable — but the
increasing distress, nay almost destruction of our commerce,
and the unreasonable denial of the Impost-Officer to take in pay-
ment of the duties, orders on the Treasurer, have rendered the
payment thereof impracticable, Your Petitioners would humbly
3oo
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
suggest, that while they are deprived by law of the means of
compelling their debtors to pay in Specie, and while the public
neglect to pay, or refuse to receive their own orders in favor of
the subject, for public duties it must be impossible for your pe-
titioners to pay the same, and therefore unreasonable in the
public to exact or expect the payment thereof. Your Petition-
ers cannot investigate the reasons, why some orders on the
Treasurer should be receivd by the Impost-Officer and others
rejected — why some subjects are indulged to pay in Facilities
and others compelled to pay in Specie, Were the Legislature to
decline receiving for such duties such orders it would (your Pe-
titioners fear) in the present exhausted condition of the State-
Treasury, and critical situation of government give the finishing
blow to public credit, and prove a strong temptation to smug-
ling — Wherefore your petitioners pray that the Impost-Officer
maybe directed to receive in payment of any Impost duties,
any such orders, or that the Legislature in their wisdom and
justice would otherwise redress the grievance under which your
petitioners labor, and they as in duty bound will ever pray &c
Neil M c Intire Alexander Ewen
Elip* Ladd
Samuel Hill
Thomas Sheafe
James Sheafe
W m Sheafe
Nath 1 Adams
Rich d Champney
Hall Jackson
Jacob Sheafe
Jacob Sheafe junr
Clement Storer
Jos : Haven
Dan 1 R Rogers
Nath 1 A. Haven
Francis Borland
Sam 11 Storer
Abel Harris
Moses Woodward
Peter Coues
Tim y Mountford
Robert White
Richard Tibbets
Jon a Hamilton
J no Sheafe
Joseph Champney
Reuben Shapley
John Goddard
Reuben Billings
Supply Clap
Th° Martin
Peter Pearse
A R Cutter
Nath 1 Folsom
Aaron Hill
Edmund H Qiiincy
W Gardner
Benjamin Slade
Sam 1 Chamberlain
Rob 1 Gerrish
George Dorey
Robert Parker
Samuel Fernald
John Salter
Stephen Chase .
Samuel Haven Ju
Benj a Dearborn
To lay
[9-140] [Petition to have imported Books exempted from
Duties: addressed to the General Court, 1787.]
The memorial of Nathaniel Adams in behalf of the Proprie-
tors of the Portsmouth Library humbly shews that said Proprie-
tors have at a great expence, for the purpose of promoting
learning and knowledge laid the foundation of a Publick Libra-
ry, to which they are continully making additions by the im-
PORTSMOUTH. 3OI
portation of the works of the latest and most celebrated Au-
thors, but they find themselves subjected to the additional ex-
pense of the Impost upon all their importations, which they
conclude was not the intention of the legislature to lay upon a
matter so generally advantageous to the Community
They therefore pray the hon ble Legislature to take the matter
into their wise consideration and to remit the impost upon the
books which may be imported by said Proprietors for said Li-
brary, and as in duty bound will ever pray —
Nath 1 Adams for said Proprietors
Portsm Dec r 14th 17S7
£9-141] \_Select?nen 's Petition for Authority to raise Money
by Lottery to build a Market- House : addressed to the Gen-
eral Cotirt, 1790.']
The petition of the subscribers selectmen of the town of
Portsmouth —
Sheweth that your petitioners were empowered by a vote of
the town of Portsm in March last to apply to the General court
for a lottery for the purpose of erecting a market house in said
town — as the tickets in this case would be principally disposed
of among the inhabitants and as the town cannot conveniently
raise the money in any other mode and it being equally benefi-
cial to the adjacent country as to said town —
They therefore pray the hon ble court to grant them permission
to raise a sum not exceeding nine hundred pounds for the pur-
pose of building said market house & that the select men & as-
sessors be the managers of said lottery —
Portsmouth June 1790
The assessors are
Daniel Rindge
Tho 9 Martin
Aaron Hill
John Noble
A R Cutter
Esq™
Woodbury Langdon ^|
John Peirce c ,
%■ • , T .,, >belectmen
Jeremiah Libbey
James Sheafe J
302 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[9—143] [Petition for the Incorporation of the First Parish :
addressed to the General Court, 1791.]
The Petition of the Subscribers Wardens of the first Parish
in Portsmouth in said State humbly sheweth —
That the Parishioners of said Parish at their late Meeting
taking into consideration the state of their parochial affairs &
not finding themselves legally empowered to transact some of
their most important & necessary business, did by their Vote
Authorize & direct the Wardens of said Parish to petition your
Honors •'* that said Parish might be incorporated by the Name
of the first (or North) Parish in Portsmouth." Your Petition-
ers therefore in compliance with said direction do, in behalf of
s d Parishioners, humbly request that an Act may be passed in-
vesting s d Parish with all the rights & Privileges belonging to
an incorporated Society —
And as in duty bound pray
Geo Gains
Elisha Hill
John Goddard
[In H. of Rep., June 3, 1791, the prayer of the petition
was granted, and the parish was incorporated June 15,
1791.— Ed.]
[9—146] [Petition for an Incorporation of the Episcopal
Church: addressed to the General Court, iygi.'\
Humbly shew the Subscribers, Church Wardens of the Epis-
copal Church in Portsmouth, that the society or episcopal par-
ish aforesaid labour under many inconveniences for want of a
legal incorporation ;
Wherefore they pray in behalf of said Society that your
Honors would by law incorporate said society into a body cor-
porate and politick by the name of Christs Church in Ports-
mouth with all the privileges and immunities necessary or inci-
dent to a religious parish or society, to enable them to hold said
church, church yard and lands purchased by said parish and
grants or endowments that have been heretofore or may be
hereafter made the same, And in the name of the Church War-
dens of said Parish for the time being to sue for demand and
recover, any real or personal property belonging to said parish,
of any person whomsoever who hath illegally possessed or may
hereafter possess himself thereof. And also to change or alter
PORTSMOUTH.
303
the name of said Church from Queen's chapel to Christ's
Church
And your petitioners as in duty bound will ever pray
Portsmouth Feb y 5th 1791
Geo : Turner ) Church
Tho" Thompson j Wardens
[The church was incorporated February 11, 1791, and the
name changed from Queen's chapel to St. John's church.
—Ed.]
[9-147] \_lfniversalist Society for Incorporation, 1793 -~]
The Petition of us the Subscribers Inhabitants of the Town of
Portsmouth in the County of Rockingham and State afores d
Proprietors and Owners of a certain piece of land situate in said
Portsmouth with the building thereon, called and known by the
name of the Universalist-Meeting-House, Humbly shew — That
your Petitioners being desirous of becoming a body-corporate
for the purpose of assessing and levying taxes from time to time
for the sole purpose of repairing said building and appurte-
nances whenever they may deem it necessary, humbly pray that
your Honors would pass an Act for the above sole purpose, and
Incorporate them by the name of The Universalist society,
granting them thereby all and every power necessary therefor
and your petitioners as in Duty bound, will ever pray —
Portsmouth 31 st May 1793 —
Rendal Fernald George Hart
Nathaniel Meleher
Jeremiah Libbey
Peter Coues
George Massey
George Wentworth
Jon a M Sewall
Daniel Rindge
Peter Pearse
John Wendell Jun 1
Dan 1 R. Rogers
W m Plaisted
Moses Woodward
J. Sheafe
John Cutt
Abner Blasdel
Alexander Ewen
Richard Jackson
Thomas Simes
James Grouard
Martin Parry
[This petition was granted June 10, 1793. — Ed.]
[9— 14S] \_Pctitio?i for Authority to build a Bridge over Saga-
more Creek : addressed to the General Court, Dec. 18,
'797-1
We the subscribers, inhabitants of Portsmouth and Rye in
said state, humbly shew that were a bridge erected over Saga-
304
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
more creek from Portsmo 1 to Rye near Benj Lear's house it
would shorten the travel & facilitate the communication between
said Towns & be of public utility Wherefore we pray that lib-
erty be granted us to build and maintain a bridge there by Sub-
scription,- & as in duty bound will ever pray &c —
Edward Sargent
Geo. Turner
Benj Morrell
William Seavey
Joseph Brown
William Seavey Ju r
James Seavey
John Seavey
James Seavey ju
John Foy
John Foy Ju
Levi Dearborne
Samuel Wallis
William Berry
Titus Salter
Billy Rand
Samuel Rand
Nath 1 Rand
Joseph L Seavey
Amos S Parsons
John Webster
Daniel Mason
Paul Seavey
Joseph Rand
Alexander Salter
John Salter
John Carrol
Joses Philbrick
Levi Berry
Jeremiah Berry
Jonathan Hobbs
William Marden
Joseph Lock
Nathaniel Marden
Josiah Webster
Rich d Webster
Samuel Rand
Joshua Brackett
Edward Sargent
Abner Blaisdel
Jacob Sheafe
Isaac Waldron Jr
A R Cutter
[In H. of Rep., Dec. 19, 1797, the foregoing petition was
granted. — Ed.]
[9-149] [Piscataqua Bridge, Cost and Revenue, jyg8."\
This may Certify That the following Statement is a true Ex-
tract from the Accounts and books of the Treasurer of Piscata-
qua Bridge from which it Appears, the nett income of the
Bridge does not much exceed two per centum p r Annum —
whenever it shall need repairs the devidend to the Proprietors
of course will be greatly diminished, — altho the Bridge is of
great public utility — it is now and probably will continue to
be to the proprietors a very Unproductive property.
Dollars. Cents.
The first Cost of Piscataqua Bridge 65947 *34
Toll Collected from the Bridge from Nov r 25 th 1794
the Commencement thereof to Nov r 25 th 179S is 4
years 8 181 .75
Expences on the Bridge since it began to receive
Toll, in building a new draw, pay of toll Collect-
ors & sundry necessary repairs and additions (with-
out any charge by the Managers for their service
or the Treasurer for receiving and paying the Div-
idends) 2812 .31
r"
PORTSMOUTH. 305
4 Years Nett income being 53^9 .44
One Years being one fourth *34 2 -30
Interest on the first Cost of 65947.34 Cents at 2 per
cent is for one Year 13 18 .95
Portsmouth Dec 12, 1798.
Tli° Martin Treasurer
Sworn to before R. Cutts Shannon.
[9-150] \_Petition for hicorporation of an Aqueduct : ad-
dressed to the General Court, 1797.]
The Petitioners, Inhabitants of said Portsmouth, Humbly
shew : —
That they conceive an Aqueduct for the purpose of watering
said Town might be a lasting conveniency to the Inhabitants,
and in case of fires would prove a great public benefit ; And
that the only water that could be applied to that purpose is
more than two & one half Miles distant, and that from the Na-
ture of the Ground through which the Aqueduct must pass, be-
ing a considerable part of it low marsh & Rockey or Ledge
Land, it would necessarily be attended with great expence ;
They therefore pray that they & such others as may hereafter
be interested in it maybe incorporated with the exclusive Right
and full powers to Effect the purposes aforesaid, & to continue
in succession, to them & their heirs and Assigns forever, — and
they as in duty bound shall ever pray. —
November 27 th 1797
Samuel Hill Nath 1 A Haven Thomas Chadbourn
James Sheafe John Goddard William Boys
Joseph Whipple Jon a Clark Dan 1 R Rogers
Jn° S Sherburne Elip 1 Ladd Reuben Shapley
Joshua Brackett John Peirce J°hn Fisher
A R Cutter Daniel Rindge Sam 1 Drowne
[The Portsmouth Aqueduct was incorporated Dec. 19,
1797.— Ed.]
[Petition of St. John's Lodge, JF. and A. ]\I.,for an Incor-
poratlo?i, I7QQ.J
To THE HONORABLE, THE GENERAL COURT, of the STATE OF
New Hampshire convened at Exeter, on the first Wednes-
day of December in the year of Light 5799.
Humbly shew the Master, Wardens and Members of St.
John's Lodge in Portsmouth. That in pursuance of their
22
306
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
sublime institution, which was, for the promoting brotherly
love, peace, and good will among mankind, and relief of all
distressed brethren ; they have raised a small fund, which they
are desirous of so securing, that the proceeds may be appropri-
ated for such laudable purposes. They are also desirous of
erecting a suitable building for the accommodation of said
Lodge at their orderly meetings. But without the aid of this
Honorable Legislature, they are unable to secure said fund, or
erect such building. They therefore pray your Honors, to grant
them an act of incorporation, under such restrictions and limi-
tations as your Honors may deem expedient. Thev would
further observe to this Honorable Legislature, that from a per-
fect sense of the purity of the institution, (which is well known
to many of your Honors as Masons) and of their honest inten-
tions in this application, and a firm belief in the candour, dis-
cernment, and good intentions of your Honors, they have the
fullest confidence, that no unworthy prejudice can be harboured
against them. They therefore now, and will ever, as is their
bounden duty as Men, and Masons, to do, most humbly pray
the Grand Architect of the Universe, that He, would take
your honorable Court under his holy protection, and that final-
ly, as a band of Brothers " made perfect" thro' the working of
his divine favour, we may all meet upon a level in the Grand
Lodge of" perfect bliss," under the "Arch of perfect knowl-
edge, " where the "word," which was from the beginning,
shall be the " Star of light," as a sign, and token, to guide us
to joy forevermore. —
From the East of S* John's Lodge
November 15 th A. L. 5799.
Nath 1 Adams, G. Master of Masons in Newhamshire
Tho : thompson deputv G. M.
Clement Storer— S. G. W.
Edw d S' Loe Livermore
John M c Clintock Master
Joseph VVillard
Samuel Larkin-
Wardens.
Edward J. Long
Abraham Isaac
N. Folsom
John Adams
James Hill
Charles Chauncy
John Melcher
W m Furness
Charles Treadwell
Josiah Dwight
William Vaughan
Tho 8 Manning
Elijah Hall
William Boyd
Nath 11 Dean
Jn° Underwood
Theodore Furber
Sam 1 Adams
Jon a Clark
And w Halliburton
James Anise
Jeremiah Hart
John C : Payson
R : Cutts Shannon
RAYMOND.
307
George Nutter
Elisha Low
N : Rousselet.
Clem* Jackson
Moses Woodward
George Went worth
Dan 1 Cutter
Alex r Laing
Will m Rice
Isaac Waldron Jr
William Stavers
Ward Gil man
Charles Blunt
M S Blunt
Reuben Shapley
John Boadge
George Plaisted
Samuel Sherburne
Richard Evans
Klip* Ladd
Joseph Seaward
Ob Lang J r
John Salter
Samuel Hill
Alexander Ewen
Edward Sargent
Woodbury Langdon
Rich d Billings
[The foregoing petition contains the names of some of
the most prominent men of that time. The penmanship in
the original is very fine, and men who can produce its equal
are scarce. It was considered by the legislature December
10, 1799, and the petitioners were granted leave to bring in
a bill. The lodge, however, was not incorporated until
June 22, 1821. — Ed.]
RAYMOND.
The territory in this town was purchased of an Indian,
by Col. Stephen Dudley, in 1717, and went by the name of
Freetown.
Col. Dudley was a resident of Exeter prior to this pur-
chase, and was commissioned, Aug. 17, 1717, "Town Major
of Freetown," by Gov. Samuel Shute. Freetown was in-
cluded in the township of Chester on the incorporation of
that town, Aug. 27, 1726, and so remained until May 9, 1764,
at which time it was set off and incorporated as a parish by
the name of Raymond, with full town privileges. At a
town-meeting in Chester, held Jan. 26, 1763, the inhabitants
gave their consent to the separation, and to the incorpora-
tion of Raymond.
The first town-meeting was called by Samuel Emerson,
and held May 29, 1764.
By an act passed June 23, 1848, the boundary line be-
tween this town and Candia was established.
Among the Revolutionary soldiers from Raymond were
the following :
308 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Seth Rice, age 28, Col. Cilley's 1st N. H. Reg't.
William Towle, age 35, Col. Nathan Hale's, 2d N. H. Batt.
Jona. Fullonton, age 19, u "
Joseph Fullonton, age 17, " "
Theo's Lovering, age 18, " "
Ithiel Gordon, age 18, "
Ezekiel Pollard of R., enlisted Feb. 26, 1778, for Epping.
[9-15 1 ] [Relative to locati?ig a l\Ieeting-Hous&, 1768 : ad-
dressed to the General Assembly.]
The humble Petition of the Subscribers Freeholders and In-
habitants of the Parish of Raymond in said Province Sheweth
That the said Parish was incorporated in May A D 1764 and
have ever since been destitute of a Meeting house for the Public
Worship of God in said Parish
That the Parishoners cannot agree where to set a Meeting-
house altho they have had sundry meetings for that purpose
but the major part of the Inhabitants living in the Northeasterly
part of said Parish have voted to set the Meetinghouse about a
Mile from the northeasterly side line of said Parish which will
greatly discommode many of the Inhabitants of the upper part
of said Parish which is likely in a Short Time to be the best
part of said Parish
That your Petitioners humbly conceive that if the Meeting-
house was to be placed as near the Center of the Parish as pos-
sible it wou'd accommodate all the Inhabitants that now are or
hereafter may be settled there And as some of your Petitioners
live almost five Miles from the place proposed & voted to set
the said House which is to your Petitioners a great Greivance
and if so done will be to them a heavy Burthen —
Your Petitioners therefore humbly pray the interposition of
your Excellency and Honors in this matter & that a disinterest-
ed Committee may be appointed to view the said Parish & re-
port where they shall think most proper for said House to stand
to accommodate the Inhabitants in the best manner and that
such Report may be established or that your Petitioners may be
otherwise rcleived in such way & manner as your Excellency
and Honors in your Wisdom shall see fit
And your Petitioners as in duty bound shall pray &c
Raymond Octo r 1768
David Lane Jonas Clay Samuel Brown
Obadiah Griffin Ephraim Currier John Wells
Daniel Clay Alexander Smith Stephen Gale
***"-
RAYMOND. 3O9
Jonathan Palmer Joseph Giles jun r James Bean
James Crow Clement Dollaf Benj a Prescut
Ezekiel Lane John Leavit jun r Nicholas Oilman
Daniel Lord J onn Leavit Stephen Dudley
Ezekiel Morse Gilman Dudley Joseph Smith
William Todd William S Healy Samuel Cram
Samuel Healy Dan 1 Richardson Alex r M c Lane
Jonathan Palmer Christ 1- Richardson John Sweat
jun r John Hams
1 Joseph Giles Stephen Thirston
j
[In H. of Rep., Oct. 28, 1768, " The Parties being heard
upon this petition and agreeing upon a Committee to be ap-
pointed. Voted that John Webster Col° Ebenezer Stevens
Esq r and Capt Eliphalet Merrill be a committee for the pur-
pose mentioned." The following is their report : — Ed.]
Province of New Hamp s Nov. 11 th 176S, pursuant to the
aforegoing vote, we have viewed the said Parish, & agree to
report that we think the Site of a meetinghouse at the westerly
end of the Lot No. 37, Laid out to Samuel Shaw, at a place
called Sled Hill, will best accommodate said Parish — which is
humbly submitted by
John Webster ~\
Eben r Stevens >- Committee
Eliphalet Merrill )
[A beginning was made at this place, and at other places
at varipus times, but no meeting-house was completed for
use until 1786. — Ed.]
[9-152] [ Vote of Town relative to locatifig the Meeting-
house, 1J69 and iyyo.~\
Att a Legal Meeting held at the house of Lieut Benj a Beans
in Raymond on monday the 3 d Day of July 1769
I 1 ' John Dudly Esq 1 " Chosen Moderator to Govern said meeting
2 ly Put to vote to see if the Parish will Set the meeting house
where the Committee from Court had fixed it before, a Despute
a Rose and a poll Demand and granted and it Passed in the
firmetiye
a True Coppy Jon* Swain Parish Clerk
[9-'54]
Att a Legal Meeting held at the house of Lieut Benj* Beans
in Raymond oti monday the 5 th of march 1 77c
3IO EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
a mongest other things: Put to vote to See if the Parish will
Chuse a Committee to build the meeting house in said Parish
where the Committee from the genral Court had Purfixed it and
it Pased in the negitive —
Raymond march the 7 th 1770—
a True Copy Test Jon a Swain Perish Clerk —
[9— 154 I [^Relative to the Election of Representative : ad-
dressed to the H. of Rep., April 7, 1774^
The humble Complaint and Petition of the Subscribers Se-
lect men of the parish of Candia in the township of Chester in
said Province for and in behalf of the Freeholders and Inhabi-
tants of said Parish of Candia, And also the Selectmen of the
Parish of Raymond in said Township of Chester for and in be-
half of the Freeholders and Inhabitants of said Parish of Ray-
mond
Most Humbly Sheweth —
That the said Freeholders and Inhabitants of Candia and
Raymond humbly Conceive that they have a Legal Right to
vote in the Choice or Election of a Representative to represent
them in the General Assembly of this Province, that they Usu-
ally were Notified to Attend and vote in such Elections, at the
Town of Chester Joyntly with the Freeholders and Inhabitants
of said Town of Chester —
That tiie Freeholders of said town of Chester on the Fourth
day of April Instant Met at said Chester and Elected John Web-
ster Esq r to represent them in this present General Assembly,
without giving notice to the Freeholders of Either of the said
Parishes of Raymond or Candia to Meet and Join with them in
that Election, wherebv the Freeholders of the Parishes conceive
they are deprived of the priviledge of being Represented in any
manner in the said General Assembly, and that the said Elec-
tion of the said John Webster is Illegal — Wherefore your peti-
tioners Pray that your honours will declare the said Election
Void, and order a New Election, or otherwise relieve your pe-
titioners in such way and manner as your honours in your Great
Wisdom shall see fit, and your Petitioners shall ever pray &c
Moses Baker ^i ,
r , . ir p Selectman
for himseU & [ f
Abr- Fitts & f °*
Walter Robie Candia
John Dudley ^ c , ,
% ,. , r £ Selectman
for nimselt cc { c
Ebenezer Cram & [ o j
Thomas Gorden J *
*~wr
RAYMOND. 311
[In H. of Rep., May 12, 1774, the election was declared
illegal, "set aside," and a precept ordered to be issued for a
new election. — Ed.]
[R. 3-1S4] [Supplies to Soldiers.~\
An Accompt of what is Ben paid to the Soldiers for the year
1782 that Listed into the Contenelt Service Dureing the ware by
this parish of Raymond
William Towle Dr [items omitted] . £14.11.5
Eliph' Gorden Wife Dr £ 4. 6.S
James Wells Dr To Cash £ 4.16.0
Francis Hodgkins") Selectmen
Elisha Towle [■ of
John Fullonton ) Raymond
[Sworn before John Dudley.]
January 24 — 17S3 Serg* William Towle have Received
fourteen pounds eleven shillin & five pence according to the
within ace 4
William Towle
[R. 3-185]
This may Certify to all whome it may Concern that Judith
Wormwood the wife of William Wormwood, was the wife of
nehemiah Leavitt, late of Raymond Decs'.
Dated at Raymond September 10 th 1792
pr. Jona. Swain Just Peace
Levi Swain Select man
C^"^] [/Return of Ratable Polls, 1783.']
State of New Hampshire Rockingham ss
Raymond Dec 1- 10 th 1783 —
Pursuant to Orders from the Generall Court of this State we
have Nombered all the Polls That is Twenty one years of age
& upward paying Tax for them Selves and Do find them to be
one hundred and seventeen
Sam" Nay ) Select Men of
1 nomas Gorden > ^ ,
Matthias Haines) ^
[Sworn to before John Dudley, justice of the peace.]
3™
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[9-156] \_Sa??iuel Nay recommended for J. P., iy8 'jr.]
To The Honb 1 President & Counsel We the Subscribers rec-
ommend that Sam 1 Nay of Raymond in the County of Rocking-
ham might have the Commiss" of a Justice a peice & we think
very Sutible person as witness our hands State ofNewhamp-
shire Raymond Aug 1 29 : 1 7S5
Thomas Bean
Rich d Robinson
John folsom
Daniel Todd
Jeremiah Holman
William Towl
Benj a cram
John Osgood
Francis Hodgkins
Timothy Osgood
Josiah Fogg
Josiah Robinson
Ebenezer Present
Joseph Dudley Ju r
Caleb Smith
Nath 1 Dudley
John Stevens
Reuben Tilton
Alexander Smith
Samuel Chapman
Daniel moody
Jeremiah Conner
Isaack Smith
Theophilus Loverin
Elisha Towle
Simon Page
caleb smith ju r
Thomas Gorden
Josiah meloon
James Merrill
Levi Brown
Joseph Clifford
John Fullonton
Samuel Cram Ju r
Jacob Lane
Ebenezer Page
John Gilden
Joseph Gliden
Daniel Loverin
[Nathaniel Dudley was appointed J. P. Feb. 20, 1786.
Ed.]
RICHMOND.
The township was granted February 28, 1752, to Joseph
Blanchard and others, in 71 shares.
In 1760, the grantees having represented that in conse-
quence of trouble with the Indians they had been unable to
comply with the conditions of the grant, an extension was
granted u until His Majesty's Plenary Instructions shall be
received." This extension was granted by the governor and
council June 1 1, 1760.
By the grant above mentioned, Richmond territory ex-
tended as far north as the north-east corner of Swanzey,
there running to a peak. This triangular tract, with a base
on Swanzey south line of 3^ miles and 40 rods, was severed
from Richmond and annexed to Swanzey December 11,
1762.
Another portion of the town was taken off June 23, 18 15,
combined with portions of Marlborough, Fitzwilliam, and
Swanzey, and incorporated into the town of Troy.
RICHMOND. 313
By an act approved July 2, 1850, the north-west corner of
the town was annexed to Winchester.
Richmond men in 1st N. H. Reg't, Revolution:
Thomas Powers, enl'd Jan. 1, 1777, dis. Dec, 1781.
Corp'l Abner Powers, enl'd Feb. 13, 1777, dis. Dec, 1781.
Noah Porter, enl'd Jan. 1, 1778, dis. Dec, 1780.
Lemuel Rice, enl'd Feb. 14, 1778, dis. Dec, 1781.
Wm. Taggaft, enl'd Feb. 4, 1778, dis. Dec, 1781.
Lewis Wisco, enl'd Jan. 1, 1777, dis. Sept., 1781.
Thomas Hunt, enl'd Feb. 1, 1778, dis. Dec, 1781.
[Rev. Pap. p. 295.] \_Soldiers mustered, //7#.]
I Walpole febuary 13 th 1 77S.
this is to Sartifie the town of Richmond that Rufus Whippel
hath got mustered thirteen men for the town of Richmond to
sarve two years in the Conental Sarvis
Joseph Powers £74
peleg Williams Lieut Nathanel Powers £74
Jon a Willard Ens Abner Powers 74
John Symonds 74
John Withy 70 Noah Porter 70
L Lewis Wisco 70 J°hn Smith 70
j James Wier 70 thomas Stuart 70
Jeams Merrill 70 William tagart 70
[9~ r 57] \_Joseph Blanchard's Plan of Richmond. ~\
The Plan Describes a Tract of Land of the Contents of Six
miles Square (Lying between the places Called Winchester
and Ashuelot and the montanous Land.) Bounded Thus it Be-
gins at the South East Corner thereof at a Beach tree that
Stands in the Province line, thence riming in that Line North
8o ds West five miles and an half to Winchester Line (so Called)
bounded there by a Beach tree and from thence North by the
needle in S d Winchester line five miles and an half to a Stake
and Stones the Corner of Winchester in Ashulot line, thence
South Seventy Eight degrees East two miles to a Red Oake the
Corner of Ashuelot from thence North 3Q ds East by Ashuelot
line Seven miles to a maple tree marked from thence South Six
degrees West Six miles One Hundred and Thirty rods to a
Beach tree marked from thence South by the Needle five miles
to the first Bounds mentioned with An Allowance for One Rod
314
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
in forty to be taken out for Wind Falls uneveness, &c : measur-
ed With the Assistance of Peter Powers & Josiah Brown, as
Chainmen Who were Sworne to the faithfull discharge of that
Trust. All the afores d Lines Run & marked in December
1752—
Joseph Blanchard Jun r Surveyer
[The plan is a simple outline, with points of compass and
distances. — Ed.]
[9-158]
[Richmond Proprietors.^
Joseph Blanchard
Charity Lund
Zacheus Lovewell
Joseph Winn Jun r
Peter Powers
John Marshall
Joseph Winn
Joseph French
Joseph Barns
William Cumings
Daniel Emerson
Samuel Kenny
Samuel Cumings
John Chamberlain
Josiah Brown
Peter Powers Jun r
Thomas Harwood
Temple Kendall
Stephen Chase
John Searles
Jonathan Snow
Ephraim Adams
John Butterfield
William Cumings
Jun r
Elnathan Blood
Sampson French
Benjamin Parker
Benjamin French
Eleaz r Blanchard
Joseph Blanchard
Jun r
Thomas Blanchard
Jonathan Cumings
Jonathan Cumings
Jun r
Phinehas Under-
wood
John LTsher
Joel Dix
Joseph Read
Eleaz' Read
Daniel Rindge
Samuel Greele
Benj a Whittemore
John Coombs
John Brown
John Hunt
Joseph Ashley
Elijah Alexander
Gideon Honey
Samuel Greele Jun r Jonathan Chamber- John Rindge
Samuel Farley lain Joseph Blodget
Thomas Colburn Jonathan Parker William Lund Jun r
Stephen Powers Thomas Parker Jun' Robert Usher
John Lovewell Jun r William Parker
1 First Minister
2 Glebe for the Church of England
3 Society for propagating the Gospel in Foreign parts.
4 Coll° Atkinson
5 Richard Wibird
6 Coll Downing
7 Coll Smith
8 Sampson SheafF
9 J Went worth
1 1 500 Acres to the Governor to be laid out together
I Tract Containing 500 acres to be accounted as two of the
within mentioned Sixty Shares
pray that the town may have a Short name
RICHMOND. 315
[9-159] \_yustice of the Peace chosen } 1776. ~\
\ A Return of A Leagal Town meeting Held in Richmond in
the Colony of New Hampshire on the 15 th Day of July Last —
firstly Chose A moderater to govern said meeting then
Voted and made Choice of Lieu' Henry Ingalls for a Justice
(of peace
Attest Henry Ingalls Town Clerk
August y e 2 nd AD 1776
f Daniel Read
John Danly
> Select men
[9-160] \_Change of Date of Anntial Afeeting asked for,
'779-1
state of New Hampshire
To the Honnarable Councel and house of Representatives Con-
vend at Exetor in said state
the prayer of your Humble petitioners sheweth that at our
Last annual march meeting the town of Richmond voted pettion
your Honors would take it unto your wise Consideration and
grant us the previledge to Hold our anual meeting on the first
munday of march Annually as the Last Wednesday in march is
in the season of the year that wee make shuger as your Hum-
ble petitioners in Duty Bound shall Ever pray in Behalf of the
town
Richmond October y e 20 th 1779
Henry Ingalls Town Clerk
[The foregoing petition was granted November 16, 1779,
and the annual meeting thereafter was to be held on the
first Monday in March. — Ed.]
[R. 3-1 S6] [Allowances to Soldiers, 1778. ,]
[In H. of Rep., August 20, 1778, Jane Hix was allowed
.£4, II, 8 for the funeral expenses of her husband, Bernard
Hix, who died in the service. He was in Capt. Nehemiah
Houghton's Co., Baldwin's Reg't, in 1776. Senate con-
curred. — Ed.]
[R. 3-188] [In H. of Rep., November 12, 1778, Eleazer
Martin, of Capt. Ellis's Co., Scammel's Reg't, who was
316 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
wounded near Saratoga, September 19, 1777, was allowed
j£6, 4 for doctor's bill, and ordered to be entered on the
roll for half pay. Senate concurred. — Ed.]
[R. 3-189] [Stephen Harris was allowed ^20, 9, 4 for
doctor's bills, etc., for his son Joseph, a soldier in Capt.
Jones's Co., Col. James Reed's Reg't, who was left sick or
wounded "on the march from Ticonderoga to the Jerseys."
—Ed.]
[R. 3-190] [Soldier's Order, 1785. ~]
Richmond Jany. 27 th 17S5.
To the Treasurer of the State of New Hampshire
Sir. Please to pay Dan 1 Cook or order all that is due to my
late Brother John Smith, who was a soldier for the Town of
Richmond in the 2 d New Hampshire Regiment & was drowned
in Nov r 1 78 1.
Attest — Value Received, Witness my hand
Samuel Smith
[Moses Smith, town-clerk, certifies that Samuel is broth-
er, and sole heir, to the said John. — Ed.]
[R. 3-191] [This document is a memorial from Abner
Powers, stating that he remained in the service until May
1$, 1782, and explaining why he then left without a proper
discharge. — Ed.]
[9-162] [Oliver Capron for a Magistrate, 1782.']
The Prayer of us the Subscribers Inhabitants of the Town of
Richmond in Said State Humbly Shews that since the Diffi-
culty subsisted on account of a Number of People Calling
themselves of a New State Called Vermont the Town of Rich-
mond hath Laboured under many Inconveniences by Reason of
having no Justice of the piece in the town ; these are therefore
Humbly to Inform the Honourable Court that Major Oliver
Capron is a man of an Established good Charctor in this and
the Towns Round where He is acquainted and that he is a man
that has Ever been firm for the Government of New-Hampshire
against the userpation of Vermont and we Humbly Concieve a
man Every way accomplished and Capable of performing the
RICHMOND. 317
business and trust of a Justice of the piece and that it will be of
public benefit that he may be appointed accordingly these are
therefore Humbly to pray the Honourable Court to Inquire in-
to the affair and act thereon as you in wisdom Shall think
proper and as in Duty bound Shall Ever pray
September the third 17S2
Barnabas Threesher Moses Cooley
Benjamin Threesher James Kingsley
Tho 9 Dillingham Will™ Goddard
Jeremiah Thayer Jon : Atherton
Jeremiah Thayer Jun r peter holbrook
Nehemiah Thayer Othniel Day
Alles Thayer 1
[9-161] [Instructions to Representative* 7/86.']
At a Legal town meeting held in Richmond the 31"' Day of
August Last voted to give our Representative the following In-
structions to motion to the general Cort at the Next Seting first
to not grant the Requesition of Congress at present second to
Receive final settlements at six shillings and Eight pence on the
pound until) the fiftenth Day of December next for all outstand-
ing taxes third to Call in all publick security's Drawing Interest
that was Isued by this state and Cut them into Certifycats and
said Certifycats to pay all state County & town taxes and to pay
all Executions or to make paper money to Redeem said secu-
ritys and to answer the purposes above said
Richmond September 4 th AD 17S6
Henry Ingalls Town Clerk
[9-163] [Henry Ingalls for a Magistrate, J/Sj.]
The Prayr of your Humble Petitioners of the town of Rich-
mond in the County of Cheshire and State above Said is that
Henry Ingalls of Said Richmond may be appointed and Com*
missioned a Justice of the Peace as he the said Ingalls has for-
merly Served in that office to the good Satisfaction of the town
and County and as Colonel Capron is already appointed a Jus-
tice of the peace in Said Town and living in one corner of Said
town it is very 111 Convenient for the people in general in said
Town that have Business to Do Before a Justice of the Peace to
apply to him and Said Ingalls Liveing near the middle of Said
town and on a Large Road we your humble Petitioners Do
318
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
think it would be Greatly to the advantage of Said Town to
have him appointed
As we are in Duty Bound to Pray
Richmond October the i 8t AD 1785
Samuel Gaskell
Ezra Allen
Gideon mann
Oliver Mason
Jacob Bump
Stephen gaillson
Jems Ballou
Jems wescot
William Cook
Nicholas Cook
Ebenezer Peters
Isaac Benson
Aaron Aldrich
Solomon Aldrich
Royal Aldrich
Peter Martin
Luck Cass
Paul Handy
Joseph wing
Moses Buffum
Hezekiah Thurber
Nathan Wooley
Gideon mann Jun'r
Amos Boom
Nathan Ballou
Nathan Bowen
Nathan wescot
Gorge gaillson
John Bolles
George martin
Ebenezer Swan
John Bates
Paul Aldrich
Moses Martin
Jonathan Cass
Esek Buffum
Annias Aldrich
Nathaniel Aldrich
Nathan Aldrich
Anthony .Sweet
Jonathan Sweet
Juner
James Cook
[9-164] [Petition for Henry hzgalls, 1785. ~\
The Petition of the Inhabitants of Richmond in the County
of Cheshire. Humbly Sheweth, that when the Late Constitu-
tion took Place Henrey Ingalls Esq r was Not Reappointed we
your Petitioners humbly Pray that the Said Henrey Ingalls may
be Reappointed and duely ortherrised to act as A Justice of the
Peace for the County aforSaid. for that wee your Petitioners
Humbly Conserve that he is a man agreably Qualified for that
Important Service and Lives near the Senter of Publick Bis-
ness for the town, and also Sutes the maners and Costums of
the People, and your Petitioners Humbly Submits this Petition
to your Exelancies Grace Beleving your Exelancey in your
Grate wisdom will do the thing that is Right as wee in duty
Bound will Ever Pray —
Richmond October 10 th AD : 17S5
Daniel Read
Abraham Man
Moses Read
David Barney
William Barney
John Garnsey
John Bools
Levi morey
Darius Taft
Silas Taft
Edmund Ingalls
Paul Boyce
Cadis Boyce
Allen Grant
Jonathan Sweet
John Boyce
Nathan Boyce
RICHMOND. 319
[4-165] \_£hiakers > Petition to.be exempted from ^Military
Duty, 1788.]
Most Honourd Gentlemen we the Subscribers professing our
selves to be peacable Citizens of our Country and having a de-
sire to live in peace with all men not having any desire to Strike
against the Laws or Government of our Legislators but are will-
ing to submit our Selves to the Laws and Governments of our
Superiors Neverthless we do most Ardently desire that your
Honours would Consider us as to the Melitia act which as it
now stands Demands of us that we do bare arms in order to
learn the art of war which thing we do assure your Honours we
do not Come out against because we have any antipothy against
our officers or sivel Government but finding our selves to be
under a Law to God and our minds being led we trust by his
unering Council we do assure your Honours that it is in point
of Concience that we do not Comply with the demands of our
officers Humbly request that the General Coart Held in and for
our State would take it into their Delibrate Consideration and
that their might be some way opned where by we might be Ex-
empted from doing that that is so much against our Conscience
as we do assure your Honours we Cannot Comply with the Re-
quest of our officers in bearing Arms let Come on us what may
theirfore we your humble Petitioners do ardently pray that you
would grant unto us the liberty of Concience in this respect and
we have in times past dvised with the Honourable General Sul-
livan who Recommended to us that if we had any Destress made
on our bodies or Estates to petition to the General Coart for
redress which some of us have SufFerd in some measure also
advised by our field officers to petition in like manner
Richmond Decm br y e 22 d AD 17SS
Jonathan Bolles
Simeon Thayer
Nathaniel Bolles
Aaron Cooley
John Bolles
Josep Newell
Moses Cooley
[9-106]"] [Quakers' Petition to be exe?npted from Military
Duty, 17q6.~\
The petition of We the Subscribers inhabitants of Richmond
in the County of Cheshire in Said State Humble Sheweth :
that we are Conscientiously Scrupulous about the Lawfulness
of bearing amies or equipting our Salves with amies or laming
320 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
the arts of War by attending on Traneing or Muster Days ac-
cording to the Law of Said State : Not having so larned Christ
or been larnt of him : but Wishing and praying that the time
may Shortly Come that the nations may larn War no more :
but that they beat there Swords in to plowsheirs and there
Spears into pruning hooks and larn agriculture and not War :
and We further Shew that We have ever been Loyal Subjects
of Said State & have been Willing to pay our propotion of all
taxes for the Surport of Civil Government: and We further
Shew : that Doubts has arisen in the minds of the Melitia offi-
cers of Said Town Where the Constitution and Law of Said
State Clears any that are Conscientiously Scrupulous of bearing
armes : unlass he is a known and Owned member of the Soci-
ety of frind (or Quakers) : and We further Shew that Said Offi-
cers have issued there Warrats and have taken Sum of our prop-
erty for fines for non attandance at musters cYx — Wherefore
your petitioners Humble pray that your Honors W'ould take
our hard Case into your Wise Considration : and Grant us Re-
leaf Either by a Bill for that purpose in any Other Way your
Wisdom Shall think Best: as in Duty bond Will Ever pray —
Richmond November y e 15 th A D 1796 —
Jonathan Bolles
Joseph newil
Simeon Thayer
John Bolles Juner
Amos Boorn
Peter Martin
George Martin
Richmond November y e 15 th A D 1796 —
we the Subscribers Select men of said Richmond hereby Cer-
tify that we are well acquainted with the Signors of the within
Petition & believe them to be Good & Loyal Citezens of the
state of Newhampshire & we Likewise believe they are Con-
scienciously scrupilous about the Lawfulness of bearing arms
Moses Tyler j Select Men
Nathaniel Aldrich > of
Samuel Gaskill j Richmond
RINDGE.
The township was granted by the government of Massa-
chusetts December 9, 1736, O. S. The territory was sur-
r
RINDGE. 321
veyed by Nathan Hey wood in November, 1738, and the
grant confirmed January 24, 1738, O. S. (Feb. 4, 1739, N. S.).
The grantees were soldiers or heirs of soldiers who partici-
pated in the expedition under Sir William Phipps to Can-
ada in 1690, and were residents of Rowley, Mass., and vi-
cinity ; — hence the name of Rowley-Canada, by which the
place was known until it was granted by the Masonian Pro-
prietors, February 14, 1749, and called Monadnock No. 1.
The town was incorporated February 1 1, 1768, and received
its present name in honor of Daniel Rindge, then an influ-
ential member of the council.
Rindge took a prominent part in the Revolution, furnish-
ing two regimental commanders, viz., Col. Enoch Hale, born
in Rowley, November 28, 1733, a veteran of the French war,
who was in public positions for many years, and died in Graf-
ton, Vt., April 9, 18 13, and Col. Nathan Hale, born Septem-
ber 23, 1743, who was in the service from the breaking out
of the Revolutionary war until he died a prisoner in the
hands of the enemy, at Long Island, Sept. 23, 1780. He
was promoted for meritorious services to the rank of colonel.
By an act passed June 17, 1847, the line between this
town and Fitzwilliam was established.
[9—167] [Petition of the Massachusetts Proprietors to have
the Township iiicorporated : addressed to the Governor
and Council, lyji.']
The Petition of Stephen Peabody & Thomas Wood Proprie-
tors of a New Plantation Called Rowlv Canada in their own
Names and in behalf of the Rest of the Proprietors of s d Planta-
tion —
Most Humbly Sheweth —
That whereas the Great and General Court of the Province of
The Massachusetts Bay Granted to John Tyler Joseph Pike &
others Officers and Soldiers in the Canada Expedition in the
Year 1690 the afores d plantation lying to the Southward of the
Mountain Called Grand Monadnock which is of the Contents of
Six Miles Square a plan of which being prefer'd to the Said
Court of the Massachusetts Bay was approv'd of by the Same
and y e Lands Represented by s d plan In r 73S was Confirm'd to
the afores* 1 Grantees as by a Copy of the Said Courts proceading
in Regard thereto herewith Exhibeted more fully may Apear
which Court thought they had good Right So to do by Virtue
23
322 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
of The Charter Granted by Their Mejestees King William and
Queen Mary in the first page of which we find as followeth —
" Whereas His Majesty King James the first our Royal pre-
decessor by his Letters Patents under the Great Seal of England
bearing Date at Westminster the Third Day of November in the
Eighteenth Year of his Reign did Give and Grant unto the
Council Established at Plymouth in the County of Devon for
the planting Ruling Ordering and Govening of New England
in America and to their Successors and Assigns all that part of
America lying and being in breadth from Forty Degrees of
Northerly Latitude from the Equinoctial Line to the Forty
Eighth Degree of the Northerly Latitude Inclusive and in length
within all the breadth afores d through out all the Main Lands
from Sea to Sea together with all firm Lands Soils Grounds
Havenes Ports Rivers Waters Fishings Mines Minerals &c with
full power to Alienate" &c —
And a little further in the Same page further Saith "And
whereas the Said Council Established at Plymouth in the County
of Devon for the planting Ruling Ordering & Governing New-
England in America Did by their Deed Indented under their
Common Seal bearing Date the Nineteenth of March in the
Third Year of the Reign of our Royal Grandfather King
Charles the first &c — Give Grant Bargain Sell Enfeeof Alien
and Confirm to S r Henry Roswell S r John Young and others
their Associates all that part of New-England in America
afores d which lyeth and Extendeth between the Great River
there Commonly Called Monomack Alias Merimack and a Cer-
tain other River there Called Charles River being in the bot-
tom of a Bay there Commonlv Called Massachusetts alias Mat-
tachusetts alias Massatusetts Bay and also all and Singuler those
Lands and Heriditaments whatsoever lying within Three Eng-
lish Miles on the South part of s d Charles River or of any and
every part thereof and also all and Singuler the Lands and Her-
iditaments whatsoever lying and being within three English
Miles to the Southward of the Southermost part of Said Bay &c
and also all those Lands and Hereditaments whatsoever which
lay and be within the Space of three English Miles to the North-
ward of the Said River Called Monomack alias Merimack or to
the Northward of any and Every part thereof and all Lands and
Heriditaments whatsoever lying within the Limits afores' 1 North
and South in Latitude and in Breadth in Length and Longitude
of and within all the Breadth afores' 1 through the Main Lands
there from the Atlantick and Western Sea and Ocean on the
East part to the South Sea on the west part " —
And in the Second page of s' 1 Charter with Regard to the
Lands Contain'd in the Deed afores d we find the words follow-
ing viz — "And whereas our Said Royal Grandfather in and by
RINDGE. 323
his Letters patent under the Great Seal of England bearing
Date the fourth Day of March in the fourth Year of his Reign
for the Consideration therein mentiond did Grant and Confirm
To the Said S r Henry Roswell S r John Young & Their Asso-
ciates Their Heirs and Assigns all the Said part of New-Eng-
land in America lying and Extending between the Bounds and
Limits in the said Indenture Expressed " &c. which was a full
Confirmation of s d Lands. But if it Should be Objected That
in the Thirty Sixth Year of the Reign of King Charles the Sec-
} ond the Said Letters Patents were Cancelld Vacated and Anni-
hilated by a Judgment Given in a Court of Chancery then Sit-
ing at Westminster upon a Writ of Scire Facias brought and
prosecuted in Said Court against the Governour and Company
of the Massachusetts Bay in New-England —
with Submission we beg leave to Answer that altho that was
the Case the property of the Lands was never Efected thereby —
but afterwards In the Third Year of the Reign of King Willim
& Queen Mary they by their Charter afores d Incorporated the
Colonies of the Massachusetts- Ply mouth Province of Main &
Nova Scotia into one Province —
And They the Said King VV m and Queen Mary Restor'd the
s d Massachusetts and Province of Main to the priviledges follow-
ing viz —
"Provided also That it Shall and may be lawful for the Said
Governour and General Assembly to make or pass any Grant
of Lands lying within the Bounds of the Colonies formerly Called
the Colonies of the Massachusetts-Bay and New-Plymouth &
Province of Main in Such Manner as heretofore they might
have Don by virtue of any former Charter or Letters patents
which Grants of Lands within the Bounds afores d we Do hereby
Will and ordain to be and Continue forever of full force and
Efect without our further approbation or Consent " —
By all which it apears the Said Court of the Massachusetts-
Bay had Good Right full power & Authority to Grant the
afores d Township or plantation it being within their Limits as-
sign'd them as afores' 1 —
But So it is His Present Majesty King George the Second
hath Anex'd part of s d Lands of the Massachusetts-Bay afores d
To this His Province of New Hampshire which brings the s d
Rowly-Canada under the Jurisdiction of the Same but we ap-
prehend property is no more Effected thereby than it was in y 8
Reign of King Charles the Second — Notwithstanding the En-
deavours of Some who Call themselves Lord Propriators of the
Mason Patent to Suplant us —
Therefore apprehending our Right to Said Plantation to be
good are Desireous of Settleing the Same and Settleing a min-
ister &c we find it Necessary we Should be put into a Capacety
324 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
to Raise money to Build a meeting House & for other Charges
of the plantation and also for our Quota of the Charges of the
Goverment in which it now lys when ever your Excellency and
Hon™ Shall Call upon us therefor Therefore we Humbly Pray
Your Excellency & Hon" (if in Your Wisdom and Goodness
Shall think proper) To Incorporate us into a proper Destrict
Vesting us with the usual power and priviledges of Such that
we may proceed as aboves d and as in Duty will Ever Pray —
Stephen Peabody
Tho 8 Wood
At a legel meeting of y e proprietors of Rowley Canada Town-
ship held at y e House of m r John Wood in Boxford on y e 25 th
of December 1750 (f 7 ) voted that Cap 1 Stephen peabody &
Thomas Wood be a Committee to go to portsmouth and apply
to the Governor and Council their to form our Township Into
a deStrect with full power as other Destrects have —
Atest Tho 8 perley, prop. Clark
[9—168] \_Petition for Conjir7nation of the jirst Grant: ad-
dressed to the Governor and Council, jyjo.']
The Memorial of us the Subscribers humbly Sheweth That
Whereas at a great and general Court or Assembly for his maj-
esties Province of the Massachusetts Bay in New-England begun
and held at Boston upon Wednesday the 31* Day of May 173S,
& continued by Prorogation to Wednesday the 29 th day of Nov r
following & then met January 23 d , A Plat of a Tract of Land
of the Contents of Six Miles Square laid out by Nathan Hay-
wood Surveyor & Chain men on Oath, to Satisfy a Grant made
by this Court to John Tyler Joseph Pike & others Officers and
Souldiers in the Canada Expedition in the Year 1690, lying to
the Southward of the Mountain called the Grand Monadnock &
adjoining to the Township granted to Sam 11 Haywood and
others, beginning at a Maple Tree — the North easterly Corner
of Dorchester Canada Township, From thence running North
32 degrees. East two Miles & one hundred Poles to an heap of
Stones, Thence North 22 degrees, East four Miles, Thence
North one Mile till it meets with the S a Township granted to
Samuel Haywood &c Thence West four Miles by the S d Town-
ship to the Southwesterly Corner thereof. Thence North by S d
Township three Miles & two hundred and twenty Poles,
Thence West 30 degrees South five Miles and one hundred and
eighty Poles to a Wild Cherry tree on the Southward of the
Grand monadnock afores'd, Thence South one thousand and
eighty Poles, Thence East 41 degrees South two thousand five
RINDGE.
325
hundred Perch to an Heap of Stones. Then North 12 degrees,
east one Mile to the North easterly Corner of Dorchester Can-
ada Township being the Maple first mentioned, with the allow-
ance of one Rod in thirty for uneven Land and Swag of Chain,
and a farther Allowance for ten large Ponds and a large Shrub
Swamp about four Miles in Length and a Mile in Breadth And
that We have expended Several hundred Pounds in bring-
ing forward the settlement of the S d Township, have built a
Saw-Mill, hewed Timber for a meeting house the Same Sum-
mer the War broke out with the Indians and also cleared the
Roads into the Township and cleared considerable Ground in
it, but not expecting help from either of the Governments Suf-
ficient to defend us in a Time of War, we were obliged to de-
sist from bringing forward the Settlement aforsed till the War
was over, But this Spring We are purposed to go up with a
good Number of men in order to prosecute the Settlement of the
S d Township. —
And that Since the afores'd Grant, the Line has been run be-
tween the Provinces, and S d Tract of Land granted falls into
New-hampshire, and as we are informed Col 1 Blanchard has
either upon a Pretence of Masons Right or of his own head en-
tred upon S d Tract of Land granted as aforesaid and laid it out
into two Townships with other Lands, although he must needs
know if he would allow himself to consider that S d Tract of
land is Several Miles Scetuated and lying to the Westward of
the utmost Bounds of Masons Grant
These are therefore humblv to intreat that your Excellency
and Honours would not in your Wisdom grant the afores d
Premisses granted as in the Manner afores d to the S d Col. Blan-
cherd or any that may petition with or under him, or to any
other Persons Who Soever, but would be pleased to reserve the
Same to be Confirmed & ratified to us and the other Proprie-
tors who purpose as soon as may be in a Body to prefer a Peti-
tion to your Excelency and honours for that End
And Your Memorialists as in Duty Bound Shall ever Pray &c
Rowley March 2S, 1750.
Stephen Peabody
Thomas Wood
Joseph Hale
Jedidiah Jewet
Humphry Hobson
Joseph Hidden
Jeremiah Jewett
Jonathan Todd
in the Behalf
of
the Proprietors
326 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
£9- 169] [ Co u n terfeit Mo ?zey.~]
Rindge May y e I st 1776
I Reuben Page own that I have Delivered to Lieut Abel
Stone one bill of thirty Shillings as soon as I found it was not
good S d Bill I Rec d of Samuel Parker of Rindge, — the reason
of my taking S d Bill was, S d Parker wanted Some Velvet that
I had got, I told him the S' 1 Parker that I would not trust it to
any person ; he the S d Parker Said he had the Money at home,
I told him that if he would fetch the money he Should have the
velvet, after the velvet was Cut olf, he the S d parker told me
that he had not got the money with him : but he had it at home
and if I would go home with him he would pay me ; I went
with him to get the Money ; and as we was a going, he the S d
Parker Said he had the money with him but he wanted to talk
with me, he said if I would go into M r Learned's barn, he
would pay me, we went into the barn, and he took out of his
pocket a Number of bills, and this amongst the Rest, I Said
(Parker) lam afraid this is not a good bill, he Said it is a good
bill as ever was look up at the top the Number is plain
The above was Declared before v e Comm tee
attest Edw d Jewett Com tces Clerk
Reuben Page
[R. 3-193] \_Danicl Russell, Soldier: addressed to the Gen-
eral Court, 1778.I
Humbly Shews Daniel Russell of Rindge in the County of
Cheshire — a Soldier of Cap' Blodgets Company in Col° Hales
Regiment in the Continental Army That at the Battle at Still-
water on the nineteenth day of September A D 1777 he was
wounded by a musket ball which passed thro' his body & was
disabled from helping himself — that from thence he was carried
to the hospital at Albany where he remained till the 2i 8t Day of
October following. * * * *
Oct. 30 th 177S Daniel Russell
[He asked for an allowance for doctors' bills, etc., which
was granted Nov. 3, 1778, to the extent of ^42, 13. He
was mustered March 20, 1777, at the age of 17 years. — Ed.]
[R. 3-194] [Lieut. Ja?nes Crotnbies Petition, J77Q.~\
Humbly Shews James Crombie of Rindge in the County of
Cheshire Gentleman late first Lieutenant of the Company lately
RINDGE. 327
Commanded by Cap* Samuel Blodget in the 2 d Battalion of
New Hampshire Troops in the Continental Army — That being
upon Duty by order of Gen 1 Poor, in august 1777 he met with
a hurt which has ever since disabled him from serving in the
Army or doing any labour to maintain himself & family * *
Exeter March 16 th 1779 James Crombie
[He was placed on the roll for half-pay. — Ed.]
\
[Rev. Pap. p. 61. ~\ [Col. Enoch Hale's Return, i7/9.~\
State of New )
Hampshire ) Rindge y e 9 th of October 1779.
Sir In obedience to your orders of the 26 th of June last I have
Raised vSixteen Soldiers for the Rhode Island Servis from the
several Towns in my Regiment in the following manner viz —
Packersfield 1 John French of said Packersfield
Sliptown 1 Timothy Lock of said Slip
marlborough 1 Elijah Parks of marlborough
Fitzwilliam 1 Daniel Gould of Fitzw m .
Rindge 2 Abel Kimball) rr) . ,
to c>. x, > of Rindge
Simeon Bruce ) fa
Dublin 1 Nath 1 Belknap of Dublin
Peterborough 2 John White tr ) fD . , ,
7^-l 1 T-k • / of Peterborough
Charles Davieson J &
JafTrey 2 Bezaleel Sawyer * f t *r-
James French Jr ) J 7
New Ipswich 3 ( Isaac Taylor of New Ipswich
< Asa Severance of Temple
( James M c Kinsey of Westmoreland
Temple 1 David Drurey of Temple
Washington y 1 ^ Ebenezer Lowell of Washington
Sir as the above Soldiers was all Enlisted Between the fifth &
ninth of July and march 1 at one Time I have made no distinc-
tion But date them all from the Ninth of said July 1779
I am sir your most obed' Humble Ser 1
His Hon r General Folsom Enoch Hale
[R. 3-197] [Petition of Abigail, wife of Col. Nathan Hale,
1 7 80.-]
State of New Hampshire — to the Honorable the Councell and
house of Representatives of Said State the petition of Abigail
Hale wife to Nathan Hale Esq r Humbly Sheweth that your
petitioners said Husband, ingaged in the Continental Service
328 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
in the year 1775 and has continued in Said service ever since
that time — but through the fortune of war your petitioners said
Husband was Captivated by the Enemy by which means to-
gether with other misfortunes after he returned home on parole,
he was put to very great expense, and since that time being
ordered to return to his Confinement greatly increased his ex-
pense all which misfortune has intirely put it Beyond his power
to do any thing towards the Support of his family, wherefore
your petitioner although Contrary to her intention, being Bur-
den d with heavy taxes together with the Charges of a young
and helpless family, is under the necessity of applying to vour
Honors for Releife, to be made her out of the depreciation of
your petitioners said husbands wages — and your petitioner Re-
liing on your Honors Justice, and wisdom, Shall as in duty
bound ever pray &c
Rindge June y e 9 1780 . Abigail Hale
[Nathan Hale was captain of a company of minute men
in April, 1775, and was promoted to colonel in April, 1777.
His regiment received a violent attack from the enemy at
Hubbardston, July 7, 1777, while covering the retreat from
Ticonderoga, and Col. Hale with others was taken prisoner.
On returning from his parole to captivity he died at Long
Island, Sept. 23, 1780. — Ed]
[R. 3-198] [Samuel Whiting, Soldier. ~\
[In a petition dated Rindge, Sept. 24, 1780, Samuel
Whiting stated that he "enlisted into the Continental Servis
in march A D 1777 in Cap 1 Blodgett* Company." He fur-
ther stated that he was taken sick at Ticonderoga, and
asked for an allowance and the balance of his pay, which
was granted to the extent of ^20, o, 3. — Ed.]
[R. 3-200] [Bounties paid by the Toivn of Rindge to Sol-
diers zvho engaged for a less ter??i of time than Three
Ycars.~\
W m Kendall, 2 years man £ 6,-19, 6
David Brooks 2 • " " 17, 8, 9
Jonathan Lake 2 " " 17, 8, 9
David Robinson 1 " " 21, 6, 10
£63, 3, 10
RINDGE. 329
The above sums have been deducted from the Soldiers depre-
ciation — May 17 th 17S5. Certificate to Col°
Enoch Hale — Attest Jos Gilman
Exeter 17 May 17S5
Reed an order for the Contents Enoch Hale
[Ezekiel Demery, of Rindge, was in Capt. James Carr's
/ Company Jan. 24, 1777. — Ed.]
[Rev. Pap. p. 311.']
Rindge May y c 7 th 1777.
Then Rec d of Abel Pirkins fifteen Pounds L. M° in full for my
inlisting myself into the Service of the united States of America
to do a turne for Eight Months for said Pirkins
test Edw d Jewett Pr me Benj a Lovering
[R. 3-199. J [Resignation of Col. E?2och Hale, 178 J : ad-
dressed to the General Court. J
Gentlemen
it is Eight long years Since we have been ingagd in a Te-
dious and most unnatural war in which I have Chearfully Sac-
rificed a Considerable Part of my interest with the Rest of my
friends & Countrymen I was Several years in the General
Assembly and felt my Self So much ingaged in the Cause of
my Country as to Neglect my interest at home I had the Honor
to Command a Regiment and for many years Rec d Repeated
orders for Raising men for the war & Turning out upon Alerms
to defend my Country which I did as Chearfully obey
I was Commissioned as Sheriff for the County of Cheshire
Took the oath and Executed the office when many Persons
Thought it to be at the Jeopardy of my Life It Could not then
be for the Lucre of money but I Put my all at Stake without
fear or Reflection upon what my fate might be : thus I Passed
through the dark Scene until I Saw the dawning of the Glo-
rious day — but alas the Scene was Changed Indeed — I Soon
felt the Resentment of Some Part of my Country and Saw men
Creeping out of Corners and Indeavouring to Intreduce them-
selfs into Publick Life that dearst not Lift up there heads before
they was well Convinsed how the matter would fall But To
Return my Countrey are most hartily wellcomb to what Little
Servis I was able to afford them and Could have Said Now Let
thy Servant depart in Peace Since my Eyes have Seen thy Sal-
vation But I am Supersccded in the Latter and do Now upon
330 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
the most Coole Reflection Resign the former I wish my Regi-
ment well I had maney Good officers and Souldiers I wish my
Country well and do not forget Past favours Received from the
Generall Assembly I am Gentlemen with Respect your Honor 8
most obedient Hum ble Servant
Enoch Hale
Rindge June 7 th 1783
[The foregoing was accepted June 13, 1783, and it was
voted that he receive a vote of thanks for his faithful ser-
vices. — Ed.]
[R. 3-201.] [Relative to Isaac Leeland^ Soldier: addressed
to the General Court, 1785.^
Humbly Sheweth, Joel Russell and Mary his wife of Rindge
That the said mary was widow of Isaac Leeland Late of said
Rindge deceased, that the said Isaac Leeland Inlisted himself
as a Soldier In Cap' Blodgetts Company and Colonel Nathan
Hales Regiment in the year 1 777- anc * left ms wife (the said
mary) with a number of small children to Take care off. and
in the month of September next following, the said Isaac was
killed by the enemy. * * *
Rindge May 30 th 1785. Joel Russell mary Russell
[They asked for the balance due said Leeland, and the
committee reported nothing due. Petition dismissed. — Ed.]
1
[9— 171] [Selectmen relative to Soldiers' Pay, iy82.~\
The Petition of Edward Jewett Ebenezer davis and John
Buswell Selectmen of the Town of Rindge in Said State —
Humbly Sheweth that in the year A D 1779 orders being Sent
To this Town for Raiseing Souldiers To Serve in the Conti-
nental armey for one year that The depreciation of The Then
Present Currency was Such that the Town was laid under the
Necessatv of obligating themselves to the Souldiers Then to be
Raised as Being Responsable for the State that all depreciation
Should be made Good agreable to the orders then Received for
Raising Such Souldiers and Notwithstanding The fatigue of
Said ServisThe Said Souldiers Complain of not being made up
for any wages or depreciation wherefore your Petitioners Pray
in behalf of Said Souldiers as well as for the Town that the
r 1
RINDGE. 33I |
Said Souldiers maybe made up agreable to the orders aforesaid
and your Petitioners as in duty bound Shall Ever Pray
Edw d Jewett ~) Selectmen
Rindge march y e 6 th 1782
)
1
,1
Ebenezer Davis > of
John Buswell ) Rindge
[9-172] [Relative to fay of Soldiers : addressed to the Ge?i-
eral Court, iy8j.~\
t The petition of Daniel Grag & others humbly Sheweth that
In June A D 1779. orders were Issued for Raising Soldiers to
Seirve one year In the contenantel armey with a promise of the
1 - same wages and Depredation as other Soldiers was to Recive
I In the contenantel armey and your petitioners Being called upon
♦ to asist In Raising Sum part of Said Soldiers were oblidge d to
\ Engage them their pay agreable to said orders the uncertainty
/ of the paper money being Such and have Sence ben oblidg d to
Settle and pay them accordingly without any Security Excep
orders upon the treasurer for their wages when made up.
Wherefore your petitioners Humbly prayeth that the Same
may be made up acordingly. —
And your petitioners as In Duty bound Shall Ever pray
Daniel Gragg
James Philbrick
/ Josiah Ingalls
Ezekiel Jewett
I , Jacob Gould
Rindge June 7 th 1783
[9-174] [Petition for Authority to elect a Representative :
addressed to the General Court, 1785.]
The petition of us the Subscribers Select Men of Rindge In
Said State. Humbly Sheweth that wheras the Said Town of
Rindge hath never Receiv' 1 aney writ or preceipt Impowring
them to Send a Representative to the General Assembly of Said
State Sence the Astablishment of the present Constitution Not-
withstanding the number of one Hundred and fifty Free Rata-
ble poles that are more then Twenty one years of age are Res-
ident within the Same, which we humbly Concive was Omitted
In Conciquence of the Said Town* not Receiving any preceipt
for Assertaining & Sending In Such number of Retable poles
wherefore your petitioners humbly prays that Such writ may be
332 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Granted, and your petitioners as in Duty Bound Shall Ever
pray—
James Crumbie") Select Men
Jon a Ingalls > of Said
Sam Whiting ) Rindge
Rindge February 5 th 17S5.
ROCHESTER.
The township was granted by the government of Massa-
chusetts, and contained the territory now in Farmington
and Milton in addition to the present township. Rochester
was incorporated by the governor and council of the then
province of New Hampshire, May 10, 1722, and comprised
about 60,000 acres of land.
The first permanent settlement was made by Capt. Tim-
othy Roberts in December, 1728; others soon followed, but
were harassed by Indians to such an extent as to prevent a
general settlement until after the reduction of Canada in
1760. The population was quite numerous in 1775, and the
town did its full share of service in the Revolution.
By an act approved December 1, 1798, the westerly part
of the town, called the north-west parish, was set off and
incorporated into the town of Farmington, which, leaving
the town over twenty miles in length, north and south, made
it very inconvenient, and in 1802 the inhabitants of the
north parish petitioned for a separate incorporation, which
was granted by an act approved June 1 1 of that year, setting
off the said parish, and incorporating it as a town by the
name of Milton. July 10. 1846, a part of the farm of Rufus
C. Varney was severed from this town and annexed to Bar-
rington.
The village now known as Gonic was formerly Squaman-
agonnick.
The following is a list of a few of the Rochester men in
the Revolution:
Wm. Harper, age 35, Col. Cilley's Reg't.
Daniel Horn, age 27, Col. Nathan Hale's Battalion, Capt.
Bell.
Eben'r Chesley, age 2^, Col. Nathan Hale's Battalion,
Capt. Rowell.
ROCHESTER. 333
Geo. Heard, age 20, Col. Nathan Hale's Battalion, Capt
Rowell.
Jos. Pearl, age 17, Col. Nathan Hale's Battalion, Capt.
Rowell.
Ichabocl Horn, Drummer, 2d N. H. Reg't, Capt. James
Carr.
James Marden, 2d N. H. Reg't, Capt. James Carr.
Daniel Cook, Serg't, Scammell's Reg't, Benj. Ellis's Co.,
1781.
[9-175] \_Relative to Ministerial Affairs : addressed to the
General Court, 1737.] ^'""
i The Petition of the Inhabitants of the Town of Rochester, in
s d province, most humbly sheweth —
That your Petitioners have been settled here, some of them,
seven Years or thereabout, that we are now increased to the
Number of about Sixty Families, & are as yet destitute of a
Settled Ministry, & have no civil Order in the Town, having
never had any power to choose town officers, or to act in town
affairs, y* your petitioners put in a petition to this Hon ble Court
at their Sessions the last Spring, praying for relief under our
Difficulties afores d and also that, in Consideration of our low
Circumstances and the Inconveniences and Charges such new
Settlements are exposed to, a tax might be laid on the Rights
of the Non-resident Proprietors towards the Support of the
Ministry here ; but so it happened that the Matter was not per-
{ fected, so that your petitioners remain still in the same unset-
tled and uncomfortable Condition, and do therefore humbly &
i earnestly entreat your Excellency and your Honours to take
their Case into your compassionate Consideration, and that a
Committee may be appointed to call a Meeting in Order to
choose Town officers for the Year ensuing, and that a tax may
^ be also laid on the Non-resident Proprietors of twenty Shillings
a right per Annum, for Seven Years, next ensuing, for and
towards the Support of the Ministry — Or otherwise to do for
us, as to your Wisdom and Goodness shall seem meet — And
your humble Petitioners as in Duty bound shall ever pray
I Rochester March y e 1736/7
Willam Eles
Samucll merro
John Gallon
Richard wentworth
Jeams Busell
John atari
John winford
]
Joseph Hard
Jack Busel
{
Stephen Harford
Joseph Richards
!
1
■
Benjamin Merrow
Joseph Hodgdon
Robard Night
John Bickford
334
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Jeams Lock
Gesom Downs
John Bickford
Samuell Merow
John Hardie
Thomas Per kens
Elesar Ham
Ebnesar Place
willam wolford
Joseph Berrey
Beimin Hayes
John X Smith
mark
Joseph Richards :
sen
Timothy Roberts
John Mackfee
Zebuhin dam
Benjamin Tebbets
Joseph walker
William Stiles
Stephen Beary
Joseph miller
Paul Tebbets
Jeams Cley
Solom Clark
will Door
will alen
Sam Richard
Sam Tombly
mathy mackfee
Jonathan Cops
[Legislative Action on foregoing.]
In Council March 24, 1736/7
Read & recommended Rich d VValdron Secy
Ma T 26; 1737 In the House of Representatives the within
Petition read : and Voted : That Paul Wentworth Esq r Cap fc
Thomas Millet and Stephen Berry ; be authorized A Comitte to
Call the ffirst Meeting to Chuse Town officers — and when such
officers are Chosen, they to have full power to act as other town
officers by the Law of the Province and they to have authority
to Charge a Whole proprietors Share w th a rate of fifteen Shil-
lings per annum towards paym' of a Ministers Sallary and so in
proportion for y r part of a Share or Right each proprietor do
possess or Claime : this rate to be made yearely for payment
only while they have an orthodox Minister there ; not to con-
tinue longer y n the End of y e yeare 1742 ; then to Support their
minister as y e Law directs in other towns and that the Pet™ have
Liberty to bring in a Bill accordingly —
James JefTry Cl r Ass m
In Coun 1 March 26, 1737 Read & Concured
R Waldron Secy
Assented to March 26 1 737
J Belcher
[9-176] [Petition for a Guard, 1744: addressed to the Gen-
eral Court. ,]
The Petition of the Inhabitants of y e Town of Rochester In
y e Province afors d Humbly Sheweth, that whereas your Peti-
tioners are settled In a New & a Frontier Town And being but
few In number & Under Indigent Circumstances, we are Un-
able to Defend ourselves, In case our Enemies Should make an
ROCHESTER. 335
assault upon us. And we cannot go about our Business as
Heretofore without Endangering our Lives and y e Lives of our
Families (The Enemy Having Been discovered Divers times
Lurking about our Llouses and Fields) We therefore Humbly
Pray.your Excellency and the Honourable General Court to
take our Difficult Circumstances under youi Consideration and
to allow us a Suitable Number of Soldiers to Guard us In our
Garrisons and whilst we are about our daily Employments —
And whereas we are called upon by the Province Treasurer
to pay a Considerable Tax towards Defraying y e Province
Charges, we pray your Excellency & y e Hon ble Gen 1 Court to
Consider How we have been Shut up In Garrison ever Since
y e News of a French War, & have not been able to go out and
In to provide for our Households as their Necessity called upon
us to do ; And a Considerable Number of Families have removed
from us to other Towns &c — We therefore pray your Excel-
lency and your Honours to Favour us In this Regard & declar-
ing that we would not ask to be released from paying our Pro-
portion if we had ability to Comply with y e Demands made
( " upon us therefor
And Your Humble Petitioners as In Duty Bound Shall ever
Pray &c —
Rochester Aug : 21, 1744
Stephen Berry J onn Joseph walker
Rich d Wentworth James Rodger Ebenzer plase
Joseph Richards John Jennes John Bickford
tertius Benjamin Hayes John Laighton
Jn° Wentworth John Heard Joseph Richards
Samuel whithoues John m c fee Juner
Benjamin forst James Pleace Joseph Hogsdon
I Samuell Coresen Jonathan Hodgen John Hamack
Roberd Knight William Jennes Thomas Drue
I Gesham Downes Clementt Dearing Allexander Hodgdon
Eleazar Col man Thomas Perkens Elezar Ham
Samull Tombly Icabod Horn Jonathan Cops
* Stephen Harford Cap' Timo : Roberts
Samull merro Isn Edward Tebbets
[9-179] [Petition for Representation: addressed to Gov.B.
Wentworth, iy62.~]
The Humble Petition of the Town of Rochester in the Province
Afore Sd May it please your Excellency —
Humbly Shewing that the town of Rochester being Granted
by Charter in the Reign of King George the first of Blessed
33°"
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Memory and Setled by a Number of Inhabitants for upwards of
thirty years past and Have by the Blessing of Providence grown
to the Number of upwards of a Hundred and thirty families and
Have for a Number of years past paid our Equal proportion of
the publick Charges of this Province and Never as yet have had
A member to Represent us in General Assembly of Sd Prov-
ince altho perhaps for want of proper Application we therefore
Humbly pray your Eccellency would be pleasd to send us a
Precept to Enable us to Choose a meet person Qualifyed by
Law to Represent us in the general Assembly of Sd Province —
which is the Prayers of your Humble Petitioners —
Rochester february y e S th 1762
Daniel WinJet
Barnabas Palmer
Ichabod Corson
Gedion Tebbets
Obadiah Tebbets
Dodapher Garland
Daniel Cook
Thomas Withrcll
Richard Nutter
Daniel Garland
Timothy Robarts
Junr
Peter Horn
Isaac Libbey Junr
Eliezar Colman
Ebenezer Place
Joseph Knight
Zebulun Dam Junr
Moses Brown
Thomas young
Wentworth Hays
Joshua Knight
Henry Tebbets
John Trickey
Samuel winget
Timothy Robarts
Stephen Berry
Joseph walker
Edward Tebbets
william Allen
James Rogers
Zebulun Dam
Ephraim Berry
Joseph Dam
Stephen Wentworth Charles Rogers
Moses Hays
Samuel Cops
Shadrach Allard
Abner Dam
Jabez Dam
Jonathan Hodgdon
Ichabod Horn
Ebenezer Place Junr
Jacob Chamberlin
Benjamin Cops
Samuel Chamberlin
Samuel yeaton
Benjamin Merrow
David Place
Solomon Laighton
George Place
Joseph walker Junr
Moses Downs
Josiah Main
Henry Allord
Thomas Pevey
Jonathan Laighton
David Laighton
Joseph Haghdon
John Nute
Samuel Downing
David Cops
Ebenezer Chamber
lin
Thomas Brown
Benjamin Foist
James Knowls
Isaac Libbey
Richard wentworth John Hammock
Samuel Alley Abraham Pearl
Stephen Berry Junr Dimond Pearl
Jonathan Cops James M c fee
Joseph Tebbets Hezekiah Varny
Aaron Tebbets Ithamer Seavy
Elexander Hodgdon William Chamberlin Solomon Perkins
Clement Dealing
John Heard
John Plume?
Samuel Laighton
Ephraim Ham
Samuel Tebbets
James Berry
James Place Peter Wallingsford
Paul Libbey J onn Richards
Ephraim Chamber- Alexander Hoghdon
lin Junr
James Dealing William Ham
Richard walker Daniel Forst
Nathaniel Burnam Daniel M'neel
I ROCHESTER. 337
f
[9-178] \_Goverrior Wentzvorth to Secretary Atkhisou, rela-
tive to a Representative, i~62.~\
Portsmouth 12 th Feb. 1762,
Sir Colonel Gage has laid before me a Petition from Roch-
ester, praying they may have a precept for Choseing a fit per-
son to represent them in General Assembly, which if they ob-
tain they have promised to send Colonel Gage and if the Kings
writt is not too far advanced insert Rochester and Kensington
from which place Cap' Haly will come, but you must Inquire
first w T hethcr it can be done without infringing on. Hampton
Falls Incorporation
I am S r Your Hum 1 Ser'
B. Wentworth
Colonel Atkinson
The Sherrif is not to send out precepts to the old towns be-
fore the latter end of next week, nor to Rochester if one goes
there B. W.
[It appears in the journal of the H. of Rep., March 12.
1762, that a precept was issued to Rochester, and that Lieut.
John McDuffee was chosen instead of Col. Gage. — Ed.]
[9-180] \_JRelative to Dover Bridge: addressed to the As-
se?nbly, i//'0.'}
The Humbl Petision of Sundry of the Inhabitents of the
Town of Rochester in S d province Shews our oppinion And
Sentiments about the Bridges that is Built at Cochcho falls in
the town of Dover in s d provnee Whereas we your humbl Per-
tisoners think it Very Needless to Build a Bridge below the
falls for it is So Discomogous to us and all the adgasent Towns
and all travellers for it Carry s us and all travellers Between
fifty and Sixty Rods farthar Round than the highwav formerly
was and over Such Rocks and we look upon it that the town
had no Rite to turn the Rode So far out of the way that was
formerly laid out By the Governor & Councel without a greater
authority than Such a Vote as we have Been Informed
Whereas we think that the upper Bridge is most Convenient
Both for the town of Dover and us & all the adgasent towns
And all travellers it Being a much Better Road and your Per-
tisioners are in Duty Bound Shall ever Pray &c —
Gershum Downs John Nute William Ham
John Ham moses Varney Ephraim Ham
338
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Joseph Tebbets
Ichabod Corson J r
Ichebod Corson
Isaac Libbev
Rich d Nutter
Eleazar Coleman
Stephen handford
J uner
Isaac Lebby Jur
Solmon harford
Ephraim Alley
Bangmon dam
Samuel Alley
Thomas Young
Peter Horn
Stephen Bearey
Benjamin forst
Thomas Varney
Ebenezer Varney
Richard wintvvorth
henry Tebbets
Jonathan Tebbets
William allin
Stephen Harford
Joseph knight
Samuel Laighton
Timo Robarts
Timothy Robarts
J uner
Josiah Main
Tristram Heard
Joseph Heard
Sam 1 Downing
Paul Libbey
Thomas Robarts
David Place
John Place
George Place
William M c dufee
James JackSon
James Horn
Abner Dam
James Dealing
Peter Wallingford
Zebulun Davis
Reuben heard
Alexander hodgdon
Jur
John Hamak
Richard Place
Alexander Hodgdon
Jonathan Bickford
Joseph Bickford
Thomas Brown
Isaac Twombly
William Jinnins
Morris Ellis
Moses Jennins
Aaron Jennins
Danel kimbal
Aaron Downs
[In H. of Rep., December 14, 1770, a hearing was order-
ed for the next session. — Er>.]
[R. 3-204] [Stephen Berry, Jr., Soldier, 1748. J
Stephen Berry Jun of Rochester Testifies & Declare that he
served as a Soldiour under the Command of Cap 1 Job Clemens
in Scouting and Guarding at Rochester the last month that
Cap* Clemens Serv'd there in the Service of this Province in the
year 174S in the Room or Stead of Jacob Allen
Stephen Berry Jur
[Sworn before John MacMurphy, Portsmouth, May I,
1753.— Ed.]
[R. 3-21 1] [Daniel McDnffee's Order, 1778.}
Sir Please to Pay or Deliver to James Knoles Esq all the
money Due to thertv Seven men that Served in my Company
as Solders Last fall at Still Water &C on Robert Swainsons
Role & this Shall be your Receipt for the Same pr me
Daniel M c Duflee Cap*
To Nicholas Gilman Esq 1 "
Rochester may y e 15 th 177S
ROCHESTER. 339
TR. 3-212] [Major Tebbefs Petition, I779>~\
[In a petition dated Rochester, March 8th, 1779, Ebene-
zer stated that he was second major of the second regiment
of militia ; " That in the Summer last past at the Requisition
of the Committee of Safety for said State he raised a num-
ber of men & marched with them as Voluntiers on the Ex-
pedition at Rhode-Island." He stated that he " was on the
ground as early as any of the Troops & left it as late," for
which he desired to be paid. — Ed.]
[R. 3-214] [Soldiers' Order, iy8o.~\
Rochester July 19 th 1780
To the paymaster General of the State of newhampshire Sr
Be pleasd to pay unto the .Selectmen of the Town of Rochester
the Full of our wagers and other Incoragement that is to Be
given by sade state to Soldiers Enlisted agreable to an act of
this State out of the Militia For the Term of three months and
in so Doing you Will oblige your Most obedient Humble Ser-
vants
David Wingate T , J A „ ™ ^t^. , -,
hU to John X Allen IrustramX Richards
mark
James X Emery T r% , ■£
mark Joseph Clark T ,, ™* ^ r n .
■d • u w t^ t ^.1 1 j lonathan X Wallingr-
Beniah X Doar Jonathan heard J mark rf ft ,
*'-4 Thomas Pinkham A g L io ™
Jonathan X k Dore Joseph Wingate St ^ p ° h V n P Tebbetts
[R. 3-215] [Daniel Wing-ate 's Bounty.']
This may certify all whome it may concern that I the sub-
scriber paid M r Daniel Wingate Jun r with other Soldiers £34,
each L. M : as a Town Bounty for three years Service as a Sol-
dier from the 23 rd May 1777 for the 3 Ensuing years —
Rochester 14 th Feb* 17S3 Eben r Tebbets
[R. 3-216.] [Soldiers' Orders, 1784.']
To the honorable Committee on Claims now Setting at Exe-
ter or to home it may Concern please to pay the hole of my
wages to John Wingate or to the bearer for twelve months Ser-
vice in the Continantal Armey of the United States of america
340 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
for 1779 & it will much oblige me your most obedient and hum-
ble Servante Isaac Hanson
Rochester July 5 th 17S4
Witnesses presente Jon a Meserve Thomas Davs
[R.. 3-2 16] Rochester Sej:>tember 21 th 1784
To the Treasurer of the State New Hampshire
Sir plese to pay unto Daniel Cook or his order all that is due
to me for my late husbands Daniel Alleys sarvises in the Sec-
ond new Hampshire Reg' Value Received witness
Lydia Alley
Test Daniel Rogers Samuel Elkins
I hereby Certify that the above signer was the wife & is the
Sole heir to the late Daniel Alley who was a Soldier for the
Town of Rochester
Josiah Main town dark
[Said Alley died of wounds — Ed.]
[The following ordered their dues' to be paid to Daniel
Cook:
Oct. 11, Paul Cook, Joshua Woodman's Company, Col.
Reynolds's Reg't, in 1781, ,£4-3-4.
Oct. 27, John Perkins, same Co. in 1781, £4-3-4.
Oct. 28, John Palmer, same Co. in 1781, £4-3-4
Dec. 20, Jonathan Purzell, 2 d N. H. Reg't.
Dec. 9, William Palmer, 2 a N. H. Battalion in 1780.
Dec. II, Benjamin Perkins, Woodman's Co., Reynolds's
Reg't in 1781, £4-3-4.
Dec. 3, Joseph Clark, same Co. in 1 781, £4-3-4.
Oct. 28, Joseph Heard, same Co. in 1781, ordered his
dues to be paid to Stephen Wentworth, £4-3-4.
The foregoing all state that they served for Rochester. —
Ed.]
[R. 3-226] [Petition of Jotham Nute : addressed to the Gen-
eral Court, Dec. 2j, 1789.]
The Petition of Jotham Nute of Rochester in the County of
Stratford humbly Sheweth —
That early in the late Contest between the United States &
the Kingdom of Great Britain — he entered the Service of his
Country in the Regiment from this State, Commanded by Col
ROCHESTER. -$41
!
George Reid, in which from his Fidelity and good service he
was promoted to a Serjeant and continued in the faithful dis-
charge of his duty till the month of July 17S1, when in an ac-
tion with the British Troops near Tarrytown [N. York.], he
was wounded in the thigh by a musquet ball, which lodged in
his hip, where it still continues. * * * *
Jon a Rawson Atty to the Petitioner
[R. 3-227 is a certificate from Capt. Jere. Fogg, dated
Kensington, Jan. 4, 1790, stating that Sergeant Jotham
Nute was in his Company, and was wounded in the hip " in
a very severe skirmish near Kingsbridge in which one fifth
part of my Party were killed or wounded." Sergeant Nute
also presented a discharge dated June 7, 1783, signed by
Gen. Washington, in which it was stated that he had been
awarded the badge of merit for six years' faithful service.
The committee on the examination of invalids recommended
that he be pensioned at two dollars per month. — Ed.]
[9-181] [Relative to Lumber Act, Paper Money, etc. : ad-
dressed to the General Assembly, 1785. ~]
The Petition of us the Subscribers free Holders and Inhab-
itants of the Town of Rochester, Humblely Sheweth, that we
are largely Concerned in Lumber, and we understand your
Honours has passed some late acts at your last Session, verry
hurtfull, and Injurious to us and we believe to all Other Towns
Concerned in the lumber way therefore pray you would repele
the act that requires all boards to be Inch thick And Square
Edgeed and Other lumber in propotion And likewise to repeal
the acts prohibiting any Vessel Carrying Lumber the Brittish
Islands in the West Indies that can procure Brittish papers for
that purpose —
And to repeal the Other act with regard to the Duty Laved
on tunnage on Ships or Vessells belonging to foreigners which
Duty we Look Upon to be Equal to Shuting up our ports
against them, but If your Honours Dont see fit to grant the
prayer of this Petition Wee would request a paper Currency on
a Loan or in Such other way as your wisdom may Direct you
to Support the Credit of Said Moneys, as in Duty bound we
ever pray —
Rochester Aug 8 ' 30 th 17S5
David Place Jonathan Laighton Joseph Drown
Abner Hodgdon Daniel goodwill Richard Furburjun'
Ebenezer Place Jun r nehemiah kimbel Tobias Twombly
Ebenz r Place Sen r Solomon Perkins Jun
342
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Moses Place
Amos Place
Joseph Thompson
Joseph Thompson
Juner
Alexander Hodgdon
Eleazer Hodgdon
Joseph pearl
moses Ham met
John Hammet
Dimon Pearl
James Young
Joseph Clark
Tobias Ricker
Cornelius Jenness
Jonathan Place
moses way moth
Thomas Drew
John Richson
James Dearing
Moses Varney
Jonathan Leighton
John Place
Jonathan place
Thomas Varny
Elijah Varney
Rubn heard
Bnjami meder
Ephraim Ham
Eleazer Ham
James Ham
Isaac Brown
George Place
Moses Roberts
Ephraim wentworth
William Wentworth
Wentworth Haves
Daniel M^Neaf
Joshua Merrow
Josiah Folsom
Edward Rollins
John Goodwin
Benj a Odiorne
Paul Harford
Daniel Watsn
Jonathan Heard
Richard Hilton
Bening Colbroth
Geo : R Downing
Ebenezer Varney
Joseph Bickford
Ebenezer Varney Ju
John Bickford
Samuel Varney
Moses Varney
John Rawlings
Anthony Rawlings
Joshua Rawlings
John Cloutman
Eben r Twombly
Isaac Libby
George Snell Hayes
David Corson
John Pergon
Jonathan Twombly
Elijah Horn
Benjamin Copps
Richard Manson
William Manson
Paul Copps
Beard Plumer
Enoch Hayes
Daniel Cook
Nich Wentworth
David Horn
John Carr
Ebenezer Went-
worth
Daniel Garland
Ephraim Twombly
Daniel Kimbal
John walker
John Hanson
Jeams Ed ley
Nathan Nock
Mark Miler
Joseph Chapam
John wentworth
Elihu wintworth
Samuel Jennes
Garsom Downs Ju r
Joseph Plumer
David Walanford
Closes hambliu
John Knowles
Joseph Heard Jun r
Thorn 8 Virney
Aaron Downs
Gersham Down Jun r
Wentworth Twom-
bly
Moses Downs
Ebenez 1- Ricker J r
Edmund Tebbets
Joseph Knight
Dudley Wentworth
Daniel Bruster
Stephen Wentworth
Eleazer Coleman
James Coleman
James Rogers Jun r
Moses Horn
Jeams Bery
John Bery
Willam Bery
John Tanner
Abraham Cooke
Rich d Walker
John Wentworth Jr
Hunking Colbroth
Abraham Cooke Jur
Reuben Heard
Jacob Wallingford
Morris A lies
Thomas Peavey
Daniel Peavey
Anthony Peavey
David Watson
Edmund Wingate
Jonathan Marry
Benjamin Chase
Ezekiel Ricker
Nathnil Jonson
Richard Nutter ju
Joseph Holmes
Jonathan wentworth
Joseph Heard Jun r
Enoch Hoyt
Ichabod Corson J n
Thorn 9 Pinkam
Jon a Pinkam
I
Ebenezer Horn
Benjamin Rollins
Ebenezer Ricker
Joseph Dame
Peter dishing
Joshua Knight
Jonathan Walling-
ford
Stephen Lee
Benjamin Hoyt
John Randale
John Ham
Timothy Heard
Paul Place
John Musset Place
James Jackson
Caleb Jackson
Joshua Downing
Ephraim Trickey
Paul Cook
Timothy Ricker
william Jones
Nathaniel Jones
Samuel Palmer
Robert
James vventworth
thomas Plumer
John Glidden
Barnabas Palmer
Gersum downs
David Morison
John Bickford
Calef
John Roberts
Ephraim Parker
Elazar Dam
Joseph Runels
James Rogers the
third
"William Huntress
Jon a Norris
Joaiah went worth
Samuel Richards
Timothy Robarts
Francis meder
Daniel Brewster
Samuel Plummer
ROCHESTER.
Knight
Joseph Roberts
Simon Torr
Tim° Courson
James m c Durle
Robart Walker
David Langley
Ephraim Pickens J r
Jonathan Richards
William Wingate
Benjamin Varney
James Chesley
John Place Ju r
Thomas Roberts
James Downs
William Palmer
Sam 1 Nute
Isaac Wentworth
■ place Jun
barnebas Parner
Richard Wentworth
Peter Horn
Moses Horn Jun r
Joseph Walker
Tristram heard
Nathaniel Heard
Tristram Heard
Jas Adams
Samuel Austin
Jacob Elles
Samuel Wingate
Benj a Wingate
Elijah Tebbetts
John Trickey
Samuel Door
Silas Tebbets
Heard Roberts
David Tebbets
Joseph Tebbets
Ichabod Cossen
william Elles
David Wingate
Samuel Allen
Joshua Allen
Micah Allen
Samuel Downing
Stephen Furnald
343
John Rand
John Ham Jun r
John Stanton
Daniel Page
Joseph Page
Voletine Railing
David Jenness
Joseph Meader Jnr
Winthrop Nutter
William Whitehouse
Aaron Whitehouse
George Meader
Pelatiah Cartlan
John Tucker
Jacob Hanson
Isaiah Jenkins
Joseph meder
Hatevil Laighton
Solomon Drown
John Drown
Joseph Parker
natthel meedor
William Hanson
Jonthan Meder
William hodgdon
Robert Evans
James Place
Paul Jennes
Samuel Robeson
Gorge Laighton
timothy Richson
Clem hays
Stephen harfot
John Davis
Joshua Corson
Ebenezer Corson
Dodavah Gaiian
Dodavah Garlan Jun
Jonathan Elles
Joshua Elles
Rich* 1 Furber
Benj* Furber
Robart tebets
Bengamin Went-
worth
David Allard
Job Allard
1
344
Moses goodwill
Zabulon dam
Richerd Parkins
Silas Dame
Enoch Bnrnham
Lemuel Richardson
William M c Durle
John Richards
Jon a Richard J r
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Benjamin Forse Jun r James Runnels
Josiah Main
Sam 1 Furbur
Ephraim Kimbel
David Twombly
Daniel Page
Nathanel Garland
Benjamin Page
Moses Jennes
Jon a Bigford
James French
Edward Varney
Moses Varney 3d
Thorn 8 Davise
James Twombley
John Palmer
Amos place
1
[R. 3-229] \_Lieut. Samuel Nute's Petitiojz.']
[In a petition dated January, 1790, Jona. Rawson peti-
tions in behalf of Samuel Nute of Rochester for back pay,
etc., stating that said Nute was, "on the eleventh day of
November 1776, by a Committee of the General Court of
this State, appointed a Second Lieutenant in the Regiment
from this State Commanded by Col Enoch Poor, & was
duly Commissioned & served as such till the sixteenth day
of September 1777" — Ed.]
[R. 3-230] [Petition of yohn Tanner: addressed to the
General Court, Nove7nber, ijqi.~\
The Petition of John Tanner Humbly Sheweth. that on the
26 th day of March 1777 entered on board the Raleigh Frigate
under the Command of Thomas Thompson Esq r as a quarter
Master, and on the first of May 177S was discharged from the
said Ship. In the Month of August following your Petitioner
Entered on board the Hampden under the Command of Thomas
Pickering, Esq r as Masters Mate, and on the Eighth day of
March 1779 in a sevear Engagement had the unhappy Misfor-
tune to loose my left arm and much wounded in my side by a
shot from the enemy, and in the Month of July 1779 vour
Petitioner entered on board the same ship under the Com-
mand of Cap 1 Titus Salter Esq r as Masters Mate in the service
of this State to Pernobcequet, and met with the Misfortune to
be taken Prisoner by the Enemy, which was a great damage to
me, and after my return in the year 17S1 — your Petitioner en-
tered on board the Arm Ship General Washington, as Masters
Mate, and our ship was unfortunately stove to Pieces in a Hur-
ricane, by which I lost all my Close books & Instruments ex-
cepting the Close on me.
* * * John Tanner
ROCHESTER. 345
[He petitioned again in November, 1797; and also in
June, 1802, at which time he was allowed $65. In the lat-
ter he stated that the ship Gen. Washington was a " Letter
of Marque, under the command of Charles Welden Esquire,
bound for the Island of Martinique, in which expedition, on
the 11 th day of October [1780] in a most tremenduous hur-
ricane the ship was lost." — Ed.]
[9-183] \_Report of a Committee to divide the Town, iyg4.'\
Rochester August y e 2S" 1 1794
We the Subscribers being chosen a Committee by the Inhab-
itants of Town of Rochester on the second day of June Last to
divide said Town of Rochester into three Towns or Parishes,
have attended on said Business, viewed the Plan of said Town
& heard the Parties from the Different Parts of said Town, &
have agreed to report & do report that the division of said Town
made by Jonathan Dame Some years ago & accepted by the
Inhabitants be not altered for the Several Reasons as follows
viz
I** It is our opinion that Said Division made by M r Dame
the Surveyor is as equal & as just as the Nature of the thing
will admit
2 d,y As the first proposed Parish have considered Said Divi-
sion binding & have built a large Meeting House near the Cen-
tre of Said proposed Parish Which is submitted by your Hum-
ble Servants
Joseph Badger jur
" Sam 1 Hale
James Can-
It was put to Vote to See if the Town will accept of the
above report and it was Voted in the affirmative a true Copy
attest Josiah Main Town Clerk
[9-182] [Report of a Committee o?t Division of the Town,
By virtue of a Vote of the Town of Rochester we have Run
out & marked the Lines between the new Proposed Towns or
Parishes as follows —
Beginning at Barrington line in a Heath 22 Rods North wes-
terly from the out let of Pickerel pond where we marked & Set
up a Stake Call d N° 1 from which we run north 46 Degrees
346 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
East a cross the Second Division Lott number 49 over a large
Rock mark d with, a cross thence on s d Course through Joseph
Meeders land So as Just to leave his house on the East of Said
line to Meedersborough Road Thence on the South Easterly-
Side lines of lotts N° 34, 31, 44, 47, 54 & 51. Then North 45
degrees East from the North East Corner of the 2 Division lot
N° 51 over Run through the fourth Division a little to the west
of George Hayes house over a large ledge of rocks on the Brow
of the Hill near Salmonfalls River which rocks we marked and
Call d N° 2 and run S d Course to the River makeing marks &
Setting up monuments by the roads and other necessary places
which we made for the Head line of the lower Town or par-
ish —
Then we began on S d line at the Suppos d North East Corner
of the Second Division N° 51 where we Set up a pile of rocks
& Call d N° 3 from which we run about North west at the
Northerly end of the Second Division Numbered 51, 52, 79,
80, 81, 102 & 103 to the third Division, leaving the four Rod
Road to the North of Said line and run on the North west
through the third Divisions N° 6, 5, & 3S to Middleton line
over a large pine Stump ct a rock which we marked with Sun-
dry letters & marks and Call d N° 4 being a few Rods to the
Southwest of the new Road leading from Middleton by Sam-
uel Laightons — Run out this 13 th day of Novem br 1794
By Ichabod Corsson ")
Rich d Dame >■ Lott Layers
Daniel Hayes j
Voted to Accept of the Return of the Committee for the Run-
ning of the within lines
A true Copy from Rochester Book of Records
attest Josiah Main Town Clerk
[9-1 S4] [Petition for an Incorporation of the North- West
Parish : addressed to the General Court, Ijg8.~\
Humbly shew —
We the subscribers Inhabitants of the Town of Rochester in
the County of Strafford, and of that part of said Rochester com-
monly called the North West Parish, that sometime previous to
the year Seventeen hundred Ninety four the Inhabitants of the
said Town of Rochester at a legal Meeting warned for that pur-
pose unanimously voted that the said town should be divided
into three towns and a Committee was accordingly chosen to
run, and make out the Lines of the several proposed towns
aforesaid, pursuant to which Vote the said Committee ran out
ROCHESTER.
347
1
said proposed towns, a Copy of whose return Accompanies this
Petition
That afterwards at a legal meeting of said town in the year
Seventeen hundred Ninety four the said town appointed the
Hon Wc Joseph Badger Jun r Samuel Hale and James Carr Esq"
as a Committee out of town to reconsider of the Lines aforesaid.
and make such alterations therein as they should think proper
or to establish the old Lines as they should think most conven-
ient for said town and proposed towns, which Committee after-
wards on the twenty Eighth day of August in the same year
met and examined the Lines aforesaid and reported that the
former Lines and division be established as the boundaries of the
several proposed towns, which report was afterwards at a legal
meeting of said town Voted unanimously to be accepted — We
the said Inhabitants further shew, that there were in said North
West Parish the last Year rendered in the Towns Inventory,
one hundred and seventy six rateable Poles, residing within the
Limits of the said parish, that a great proportion of that num-
ber, have to go as many as twelve Miles to Attend town meet-
ings and business, and by far the greater part, not less than
Eight miles ;
That the unwieldy Situation of said town when met in their
Town Meetings amounting freequently to such a number as
renders it almost impossible to do the town business with any
kind of regularity or dispatch —
For these reasons and many others which might be men-
tioned, we the subscribers Inhabitants as aforesaid, humbly
pray your Honours that the said North West Parish compre-
hended within the Lines and divisions before alluded to, may
be incorporated as a town with town privileges, and such meas-
ures taken to organize and incorporate the same, as to your
Honours may seem meet And as in duty bound your Petitioners
will pray —
Rochester June 6 th A D 1798
Ichabod Hayes Moses Hanson
Daniel Hayes Rich d Furber J r
John Ham Robart Berry
Nathanel Watson Ju Jonathan Furber
Winthrop glidden Daniel Varney
James Nutter
David Watson Jur
Samul Hodgsdon
semul Ran
W m Wing-ate
Eph m Perkins Ju
David French Jur
Amos Place
Benj n Jones
Ichabod Hayes
thomas Davis
David french
Daniel Peevy Ju
Danell Seavey
Benja Read
Hunking Colbroth
Gilbert French
Edmund French
Moses Hayes
Samul Knowles
James French
timothy Stepan
David Roberts
Samuel Holmes
Samuel Gray
John Walker
RiclV 1 Hodgdon
Job Allard
Will" 1 Allard
348
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Joshua Watson
John Robinson
Valintinc Sergent
John Locke
Joseph Holmes
Samuel Varney
William Ham
Moses Varney
Joseph Emerson
Thomas Leathers
Timo y Dame
Daniel Hayes
Wentworth Hayes
William Leighton
Samuel Varney
Sam 1 Furber
Peter Akerman
Samuel Hayes
Simon Green
Benjamin Furber
Peter Akerman Ju r
John Downs Jun r
John Roberts
James Downs
Edmund Wingate
Jonathan Watson
Theodore Furber
Stephen Clark
David Watson
Mark Read
Charles Knight
William Knight
Winthrop Colath
Enoch Burnam
James Knowles
Edward Knight
Reuben Cano
Robert Evans
Richard Caverly
Stephen French
Edward Varney
John Caverly
Danul Coney
Samuel Drown
Benj Ham
Samuel Holems
Jonath Wentworth J 1
William Whithous
John Beeck
Samuel Beeck
John Murry
Eben r Horn J r
Jonathan
Abaraham Nute
Isaac Libby
Hanson Libby
Jeremah Hodgdon
Ely Sumer
Joseph young
Thomas Ham
Joseph Thompson
Joseph Thompson
Samual Twomblv
[In H. of Rep., June 13, 1798, a hearing was ordered for
the next session, and the matter came up Nov. 28, at which
time the petition was granted. The west parish was set off
and incorporated into a town by the name of Farmington,
Dec. i, 1798. — Ed.]
[9— 1S5] \_Rochester Town- Meeting relative to a Division of
the Tow 71, ijq8.\
The following are the proceedings of the Town of Rochester
in Consequence of the Order of Court relative to the Division
of said Town —
" State of Newhampshire Strafford ss
The Legal voters of the Town of Rochester are hereby No-
tified of a Public Town meeting to be holden in the Courthouse
in s d Town on Monday the 27th Day of this Instant August at
two o' th Clock in the afternoon for the following purposes
1"' To choose a moderator to Govern s d Meeting —
3 dly To see what Method the Town will take with respect to
a petition to the General Court from the South West Parish
(so Call d ) for an Incorporation of said Parish and the order of
Court thereon
By Order of the Selectmen —
Edward Rollins, Constable
Rochester August 6 th 179S."
T~
1
ROCHESTER. 349
4% At A Legal Town Meeting holden in Rochester on Mon-
day the 27 th Day of August 1798
I st Aaron Wingate Esq r Chosen Moderator
3 d1 - 7 It was put to vote to see if the Town will Consent that
the South West Parish So Call d in this Town Should he Incor-
porated as a Seperate Town by themselves, agreable to the
former lines, and Voted in the affirmative."
A True Copy of the Proceedings of town of Rochester rela-
tive to the Incorporation of the South west Parish (So Call' 1 )
Attest —
Josiah Main Town Clerk
Examin d & return d by
Rochester Nov r 13 th 179S
Rich d Dame ) Select men
Jonas C March j of Rochester
[9-186] [Petition for Incorporation of the CoJigregational
Society, lygg.']
Humbly shew —
The subscribers Selectmen of the town of Rochester for the
year 1799, that the Congregational Society in the town of Roch-
ester commonly called the first parish in said town has always
hitherto been and continued unincorporated ; that many incon-
veniences result to them from their continuing in that situation.
Wherefore they pray that an act for the purpose of incorporat-
ing said parish by the name of the First parish in Rochester,
may be passed under such regulations as you in your w r isdom
may think reasonable and just, and as in duty bound will ever
pray—
Rochester June 3, 1799.
Rich d Dame ~\ In behalf of said town
Beard Plumer > and Selectmen of
Joshua Allen ) the same
[9-186^] [Petition from the North Part to be set off: ad-
dressed to the General Court, l802.~\
Humbly Sheweth Your Petitioners Inhabitants of that part of
Rochester call (l the North Parish, that as early as the Year 1774
the Town of Rochester at a Legal Meeting, voted that it was
expedient to Divide the Town into three Seperate Towns or
1 Parishes, and then voted where the Division lines should be,
Since that time have erected and Compleated a meeting house
solely for the accomodation and Conveniency of the south Par-
35o
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
ish — that in the Year 1793 some parts of the Town Complain*
that the Division lines were not equal and right, A meeting
was call'd, and the Town voted to refer the Subject to a
respectable Disinterested Committee who reported in favor
of the former lines agreed upon and establish' 1 by the Town
which report was accepted by the town — that in the Year
179S, application was made by the Inhabitants of the west
Parish, to the Honourable Legislature of the State, for an Act
of incorporation, agreeably to the abovesaid lines, which,
was Granted, bv reason of said Act the town at present is Di-
vided into two parts, that only Corners one upon the # other a
bout 150 rods — that many of your Petitioners has to travel
twelve and some fifteen miles to attend meetings for the public
worship of god and to transact town business — And many-
other inconveniencies are experienced by your Petitioners by
reason of their being in an unincorporated State —
w r e therefore pray your Honours to incorporate all that part
of Rochester that lies between Farmington and the Easterley
line of the State into a Seperate and Acting town with town
Priveledges so as to enable the Inhabitants to assess Collect and
appropriate money for Civil and Religious purposes — this we
apprehend will have a happy tendency to promote good order
unite and harmonize the whole and make us better men and
more useful Citizens — and will we hope add a respectable town
to the State of New Hampshire
As we in Dutv bound Shall ever
pray
Rochester May 28 th 1S02
Benjamin Scate
James C. Hayes
Elijah Horn
Thomas Nutter
Joseph Plumer
Moses Chamberlin
James M c Geoch
John Hanson
Richard Miller
Shadrach Hard
Nathaniel Oilman
Benj* Haggins
James Berry
Jeremiah Goodwin
Hanrv Rollins
Francis Drew
Paul Jewett
John witham
Humphry Goodwin Henery Rollings
John Remickjunr W ,n Corson
Sam 1 Chapman
Isaac Braeket
Abraham Dearborn
Joseph Dearborn
Nathaniel Dearborn Samuel Twombly
Nath 1 Jewett
Nat. Pinkham
William W Lord
Benjamin Jones
William Berry
James Berry Jr
Samuel X Wentworth Jun
mark
Shubel Roberts
Stephen, Jcnnes
Francis Berry
Joseph Berry
James Mcrrow
Dudley Burnham
John Twombly
Ernest Corson
Otis Pinkham
Francis Nute
Jotham Ham
Joseph Cook
Gilman Jewett
Lias Ricker
Ebenezer Ricker
Daniel Dore
Josiah Willey
r
ROXBURY.
Samuel Nute Jr
William Tuttle
Robert Mathes
Clement Hayes
W m Palmer"
John Palmer
Dudley Palmer
Ephraim Drew
John Scates
Ephraim Twombly
John Remick
Davied Corson
Frederick cate
John fifield
Robert Heart
william Jones
Joshua Corson
Richard Horn
Jonathan Dore
351
Obadiah Witham
Gershorm Went-
worth
Ruben Jones
John Jones
Josiah Witham
Amos Witham
Samuel J Went-
worth
David Wentworth
Timothy Roberts
John Wentworth
Jerediah Ricker
Lemuel Ricker
William Hatch
John Downs
Stephen Wentworth
Jun r
Samuel Twombly J r
[The petition was granted, the territory set off, and in-
corporated into a town by the name of Milton, June 11,
1802. — Ed.]
Robort M c Geoch
Nicholas Hartford
Samuel Nute
John Ricker
W^entworth Cook
Gershom Downs
Samuel Palmer
Peltiah Hanscom
Levi Jones
Richard walker
John Twombly
Ichabod Hayes
Caleb Wingate
Daniel Hayes J r
Jotham Nute
Ezekiel Hays
Joseph Walker
[9-1863^] [ Consent of Town to foregoing. ,]
At a Legal Town meeting holden in Rochester on Monday
the 31 st Day of May 1S02
agreeable to the first article in the Notification it was unani-
mousedly Voted that the Inhabitants of the Northe East part So
Call d beginning at the South East end of Farmington by John
Trickeys Land North forty Six Degrees East to Salmon falls
River have the approbation of the town to petition the general
Court to be bet off a Seperate or Distinct town they haveing no
objection to their being Set off
a true Copy attest
Josiah Main Town Clerk
ROXBURY.
An unsuccessful attempt was made to procure the forma-
tion of this town in 1796 from portions of Packersfield
(Nelson), Dublin, and Marlborough. A committee appoint-
35-2 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
ed to examine the premises reported favorably, but it met
with opposition from the towns it was to be taken from, and
the scheme was defeated.
A petition from the inhabitants "of the southwest part of
Packersfield, north part of Marlborough, and east part of
Keene," presented to the legislature in 1812, asking to be
incorporated into a town, was successful, the territory asked
for being incorporated December 9 of that year as a town
by the name of Roxbury.
June 15, 1820, Samuel Griffin and his estate were severed
from Nelson, and annexed to this town.
By an act passed July 1, 1868, the entire town of Rox-
bury was annexed to Keene : Providing, said act should be
adopted by a majority vote in each town. The act, how-
ever, was not adopted, and Roxbury remains as it was.
' [9-187] [Petition f oi- a?i Incorporation, 1796. ~]
Your Petitioners inhabiting the south west part of Packers-
field, the North part of Marlboro — and North-west part of Dub-
lin—
Humbly Shew
That they live very remote from the Center, but more so
from the Meeting-Houses of their respective Towns —
That the situation is such by reason of distance & bad
Roads, that they cannot attend Public Worship &c. with any
convenience —
That they are destitute of many Town preveliges. That
some of their duties, as members of the several Towns are very
burdensom —
That the Town of Packersfield, has voted off a Tract of Land
at the south west corner thereof and Marlboro — has voted off a
Tract at the North End therof for the purpose of making a
Township —
That what has been voted off (in their opinion) is inadequate
to make a Township —
That your Petitioners have Petitioned the several Towns for
a small addition to said grants, but without success —
That if the Tract of Land alreadv voted off, with the addition
of a small piece of Packersfield, Marlboro, and Dublin, might
be Incorporated a distinct Township it would be highly ad-
vantageous to your Petitioners and the Public Interest. —
The Prayer of this their humble Petition, therefore is, that
ROXBURY. 353
I
your Honors would appoint a
Premises, at the Cost of vour
Committee to Examine the said
Petitioners —
And your Petitioners further pray, that the Committee so ap-
pointed might be directed (if after due examination they Should
think it reasonable to make a Township as afore said) to fix the
Bounderies and make their report to the Honorable General
Court, to be holden in June next —
And your Petitioners as in duty bound shall ever pray —
Lott Cooke in behalf of the
Petitioners —
9th Dec. 1796 —
[The petition was referred to a committee, who reported
as follows : — Ed.]
[9-1 88] [Report of Co??zmittee, I7Q7.~\
your Committee appointed in December the S, 1796 to take
into Consideration & vew the Situation of the Southwest part
of Peckersfield and the North part of Marlborough & the Nor-
west part of Dublin as Set forth in the Petition of Lott Cooke
and others.
Report as followeth,
Having Explored the above mentioned towns & the Situation
of the premises pray d for in the aforeS d Petition are of opinion,
that the prayer thereof be granted So far as that thay be incor-
perated as a town according to the Descriptions following
Begining at the Southesterlv Corner of Sullivan then run-
ning Easterly till it Strikes the East line of Lot number Six in
the fifth Range of Lots in the town of Peckersfild then running
Southerly on S d line till it Strikes the Norwest corner of Lot
N° 7 in the 2 d Range of Lotts in Peckersfield, then running
Easterdly on the North Line of the 2 d Range till it Strikes
Breeds pond so called then Southerly till it Strikes Dublin line,
then on the north line of Dublin Easterdly till it comes to the
northeastly corner of Lot N° 19 in the 10 Rang, thence Souther-
ly on Sd line till it Strikes the Southesterlv corner of Lot N° 19
in the 7 Rang in S d Dublin then Running Westerly on S d line
till it Strikes Marlborough East line, then taking thre ranges of
Lotts of the north End of Marlborough including two gores of
Land one on the north line and the other on the west line of S d
Marlborough against Sd Ranges, and from the norwest corner
of Marlborough on the west line of Peckersfield to Sullivan
25
354 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
South Line then Easterly on Sullivan South Line to the first
menctiond bounds
Dublin Apreel. 12. 1797
all which is Submitted by your Committee —
Nath 1 Emerson
Benj a Prescott
[The plan met with opposition, and was defeated in June
following. See introduction. — Ed.]
RUMNEY.
The township was granted Oct. 4, 1761, to Samuel Olm-
stead and others, and regranted to Daniel Brainard and
others, March 18, 1767, with the same boundaries as the
first grant. Settlements were made in the fall of 1765, by
Jonathan Cummings, and in the following year by James
Heath, Daniel Brainard. and Moses Smart.
A return made by the selectmen Oct. 28, 1775, stated
that the town had eleven men in the army. The bounds of
Rumney were established in 1784. (See Vol. XI, p. 729.)
Rumney and Wentworth Union school-district was estab-
lished by an act approved June 22, 1842, and an amendment
passed June 28, 1847, defined its boundaries.
John Stark and Amos Eastman were captured by the
Indians while hunting on territory now in this town, April
28, 1752. David Stinson, of Londonderry, who was with
them, was killed ; his name is perpetuated in Stinson moun-
tain, Stinson brook, and Stinson pond.
[9- 1 89] \_Statcment of Grievances : addressed to the Assem-
bly, 1770.]
The humble petition of us the subscribers being proprietors
& inhabitants of the town of Rumney in said province most
humbly sheweth That Daniel Brainard of Rumney aforesaid
Esq claims Sc votes upon the major part of said Township in
all proprietary meetings and as the law of this province allows
every person to vote according to the quantity of his interest
T
(
RUMNEY. 355
the said Brainard makes use of his power to oppress & injure
your Petitioners in the following instances, viz'
First they cannot obtain a Committee to examine what mony
has been raised by said propriety & how the same hath been
collected & how expended : and the petitioners suggest that a
large ballance is in the hands of said Brainard.
Secondly. The province road is neglected to be sufficiently
repaired altho sufficient mony has been voted for that purpose
& your petitioners have paid their part in labour.
Thirdly. No Settlement is made with the Rev d M r Niles the
minister of said town for four years past.
Fourthly. The intervale is not equally divided.
Fifthly. The publick rights are not laid out.
Sixthly. The said Brainard hath not built the mills accord-
ing to his agreem* altho he hath received your petitioners mony
for that purpose & no Committee can be obtained to Call him
to an account.
Seventhly. The said Brainard against the will of your Peti-
tioners hath voted away two whole shares of land in said town
to his friends
Wherefore your Petitioners pray the advisement of your Ex-
cellency & Honours on the premises & that they may be re-
lieved as shall seem meet :
And your petitioners as in Duty bound shall pray & ca —
Rumney, May 4 th 1770.
Thomas Niles Richard Smart John Clifford
Caleb Kimball " Hugh Ramsey Jonathan hall
Barnabas Niles Elihu Johnson William Webber
Pelatiah Watson Charles Clark W T illiam Presson
Isaiah Bachelder Isaac Clifford Thomas Ramsey
Isaac Clifford Jr Ma" Ramsey ' Nathaniel Hall
[In H. of Rep., Jan. 8, 1771, a hearing was ordered for
^ the next session. — Ed.]
I
!j
[9-190] [ Committee appointed to procure Arms and A?)imu-
nition, iyy6.~\
Colony of Newhampshier Rumney June the 29 th 1776 —
at a meeting held this Day Voted to Send Major Alexander
I Craige, and M r Michael Dwyer to provide arms and Ammuni-
tion to Supply the inhabitants of this town and to act and pur-
sue Such Measures as the shall think most Effectual to accom-
\ plish the matter above Mentioned in order to Defend our Lives
I
\
is
i 1
)
\
35^ EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Liberties and properties Against the incursion of the Enemy
on our frontiers, Likewise we bind ourselves to the S d Craige
and Dwyer to Discharge unto them as Soon as the Return, the
price and Cost of S d arms & ammunition with all other Charges
Which may Arise pertaining to the Same By order of the Com-
mittee
Ma w Ramsay
Chairman —
£9-191] [Petition for a Supply of Arms a?zd Ammunition,
1776.I
Rumney June the 29 th 1776 —
Whereas we are alarmed with the News, that the Enemy is
like to make incursions on our frontiers, the inhabitants of this
town, hath at a meeting Called for that purpose Voted to Send
Major Alexander Craige and M r Michael Dwyer to provide
arms & amunition for S d town, in order to be in Readiness to
assist our frontier Brethren to Defend our Lives Liberties and
properties We therefore pray the Honorable Committee of
Safety of this Colony to Supply the above Deligates with what
the think is Sufficient to supply S d inhabitants By order of the
Committee
Ma" Ramsay Chairman
£
14 Stands of Arms a 3 per D° — £42
6o ,b w* of Powder a 6/ per lb— 18
180 D° of Lead 7, 2, 6
100 flints 6, o
£67, 8, 6
the Above is a Calculation of What arms and amunition is
wanted to Supply the Township of Rumney
[9—193] [Certificate in favor of Peter Afa/iew, I77<?>~\
This May Certify that Peter Mahew is a Person, who we are
well acquainted with, and of Undoubted Character, and Served
in the Service of the United States, as an Interpreter, also in
other employ, we recommend him to the Honorable Council
and Representatives of the State of New Hampshire Convened
at Exeter to take his Petition into Consideration, the Place he
now Lives on being of little Value, and for the future he may
I
RUMNEY. 357
be of great Service, he understanding both the English and
French Language — The Person who was the right Owner hav-
ing proved Himself an Enemy to the States, and said Mahew a
Loyal Subject —
26 th Feb* 1779
Jacob Bayley
Alexander Craig
Thomas Niles
Charles Clark ) Select men
Michael Dwyer ) ofRumney
Moses Dow
David Hobart
Sam 1 Emerson
David Webster
Ma" Ramsey
Joseph Senter
[The petition referred to is No. 192, and is a request to
have his title confirmed to some land situate in Rumney
that he purchased of Stephen Holland, of Londonderry. —
Ed.]
[9-194] [Return of Ratable Polls, 1783. .]
We the Subscribers certify that in the Town ofRumney there
is fifty Male Persons of the age of twenty one years and Up-
wards paying for themselves a Poll tax
Rumney 8 th Decem r A D 17S3
Abraham Burnham \ Select
Dan 1 Brainerd Jr J Men
[R. 3-235] [Soldiers' Order, iy8o.~\
Exeter April 13 th 17S0.
Pleas to charge me with Eight hundred dollars towards de-
preciation & credit the same to L' Col H. Dearborn he having
paid me that sum in money this day —
W m : Presson Serg*
To the Committee on Soldiers acc ts
Presson belongs to Rumney
'o
358 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[R. 3-236] [Soldier's Receipt.]
Received of the Committee of Supplysto Soldiers fameliesin
the town of Rumney Tenn Founds It Being What the town
Rais d Last Annuil Meeting for the Supplies of the family of
Thomas Pitts a Soldier in the Newhamshir Line During the
War—
I Say Receiv d the above Sum to my full Satisfaction
Rumney December 21 th 1781
ker
Sarah X Pitts
mark
Wife of the above Thomas Pitts
attest Benjimen Whitemore Levi Wyman
[Prov. & Rev. Papers, p. 157.]
Samuel Holland Esq — his Land Tax in Rumney
Feb^ 1785 £21-9-0
This may Certifle that their is Rais d 33 S on Each original
undivided Right in Charter in theTownship of Rumney By the
Proprietors of s d Township and that the following Rights are
now the Property of Samuel Holland Esq, now an absentee as
appears by the County Records
Henry Champion £1-13-0 Ebenezer Spencer
Francis Lock J 4 right 0-16-6 Aaron Breaneard
Icabod Olmstead 1-13-0 Daniel Breaneard
James Heath 1-13-0 Alexander Craige
Moses Smart 1-13-0 Christopher Holmes
Joseph Arnold y 2 right 0-16-6 Edmond Elliot
Charles Clarke 1-13-0 Timothy Boge
£21-9-0
Zebadee Berry ) assessors for the
Edward Everett j Proprietors of Rumney
Rumney Feb 17-17S5
[9 _I 95] [Pet it io7i for a Magistrate, 7/8 j '.]
to the honorable general Court in New hamshier Seting in
Concord
gantlemen we the Subscribers beg the faver of haveing A
nother justice of the peace in this town by labouring under a
£1-
-13-0
I-
-13-0
I-
-13-0
I-
-13-0
I-
-13-0
I-
-13-0
I-
-13-0
T
RUMNEY. 359
I
...
disadvantage by his being absent At sundry times we are
abli^ed to leave the town for the want of another Justice of the
peace tharefore we desire your honours If you see fit to grant
us this faver —
Rumney October the iS A D 1785
!
Charles Clark Reuben Doe
I Thomas Newman Elisha Smart
W m Presson J°hn weeks
Thomes Ramsey Ebenezer Brainerd
Matthew Ramsey Timothy Townshend
Jonathan Clark Amos Stevens
John Doe Daniell Smart
[February 27, 1786, Major Alexander Craige was appoint-
ed justice of the peace, and Capt. Abraham Burnham was
appointed coroner for the county of Grafton. — Ed.]
I
1 ■
1
[9-196] [Petition for Authority to Raise Money by Special
Tax: addressed to the Legislature, jfanuary 77, iygi.~\
The Petition of the Select Men of Rumney in behalf of the
Inhabitants thereof humbly shew that the Publick road through
said Town is very bad and much out of repair and that the In-
habitants thereof have made and kept in repair Roads and
Bridges therein much beyond their ability and whereas it is for
the Publick good as well as for the Inhabitants and adjacent
Towns that some new road or roads be made therein— Your
Petitioners
therefore In behalf of said Inhabitants humbly pray your
Honors to grant a Tax of two pence on each acre of land in said
Rumney, which is now laid out and appropriated, publick
lands excepted for the sole purpose of making Si repairing roads
and bridges therein one Moiety thereof to be laid out on the
% now Publick or main road through said Town the other Moiety
1 or half of said Tax to be laid out on the back road if to be
j* spaired otherwise where the Select men of said Rumney for the
time being may direct and your Petitioners as in Duty bound
\ will pray
Abrah m Burnh™ ) Select
Charles Clark j Men
[The foregoing petition was granted by an act passed
June 17, 1791. — Ed.]
36O EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
RYE.
Settlements were made on territory now in this town as
early as 1635. It was called Sandy Beach for some years,
and was connected with Portsmouth until the incorporation
of New Castle, May 30. 1693, and was thenceforth a part of
the last named town until separated by an act passed April
30, 1726, and, in connection with portions of Portsmouth
and Hampton, incorporated as '• a parish by the name of
Rye."* By this act Rye was to send a representative to
the assembly, and the selectmen for that year were to be
William Seavey, Jr., Samuel Brackett, Joshua Foss, Richard
Goss, Joseph Philbrook, John Garland, Richard Jenness,
Lieut. William Lock, and Joseph Lock. The town elected
Richard Jenness to the assembly the same year.
December 17, 1763, an act was passed appointing Francis
Jenness, Ozem Dowse, Joseph Brown, James Mardin, and
Jeremiah Lock as a committee to construct a wharf to pre-
vent the tide from destroying Sandy Beach.
All that part of New Castle situated on the south-west
side of the river was annexed to this town by an act passed
Dec. 22, 1791.
An act was passed Dec. 17, 1792, appointing James Hill
of New Market, Jeremiah Batchelder of Kensington, and
Joshua Weeks of Greenland, a committee to "establish and
fix the line between said parish of North Hampton and the
parish of Rye." The report of said committee, which is re-
corded in Charter Records, Vol. 4, p. 257, was to be conclu-
sive.
By an act approved July 20, 1876, the town of Gosport
was annexed to this town.
Rye contains about one third of the sea-coast of the state,
on which are some fine beaches, which are much frequented
in summer.
[9—197] \_Pctitionfor Authority to raise Money by Lottery
to drain a Pond: addressed to the Assembly, Dec. ji y
Humbly Sheweth Joses Philbrook of the Parish of rye that
there is a Pond in Said Parish called the Little boars-head Pond
* For petition, see Vol. IX, pp. 735 to 740.
RYE. 361
I
Scituate about forty rods from Sea Shore which by Cutting a
Canal from the Sea at or near Fox Hill so Called to the Pond
would open a Communication with the Sea & the Said Canal
being Secured with rocks (which is feezable) would open a
I retreat for any Small Vessells where they might Anchor with
Safety & would be of great Service to Coasters & fishermen —
Especialv such as should be catched in the Bay with an Easterly
4 Wind-—'
I That your Memorialist has Attempted the opening such a
Canal in the Place afore Said with out any asstance but finding
it would be too Expensive to be at the Charge of Compleating
the whole without some Aid Desisted Imagining a Thing of
such Publick advantage would meet with Publick Encourage-
ment —
Wherefore he humbly Prays that he may so far have the
Countenance of the Governmt as to be Indulged with the Lib-
erty of raising (by way of Lottery) such a Sum as will Enable
him to Perfect the said work the said Lottery to be under such
rules and Directions as your Excellency & Hon rs Shall think
" Proper —
Your Petitioner is humbly of Oppinion that he could (upon
being Admitted) give your Excellency & Hon rs Convincing
Arguments to prove not only the great advantage such an Inlet
would be to the Publick but also the feezableness of its being
made Passable & Durable this Granted your Petitioner as In
Duty bound Shall ever Pray &c
Joses Philbrick
[In H. of Rep., Feb. 18, 1757, the following scheme was
presented and accepted. Hunking Wentworth and Elliot
Vaughan were appointed managers, to which the council
added William Knight and William Earle Treadwell. — Ed.]
[9-198] \_Lottery Sc7ieme.~\
A Scheme to Raise by way of Lottery the Sum of Six Thou-
sand Pounds Old Tenor agreeable to vote of the Gen 1 Assembly
for Opening a Harbour at Rye — Viz t —
6000 Tickets a <£ 6 — £36000
1500 Prizes
4500 Blanks
6000
)2
EARLY
TOWN PAPERS.
Prizes Viz* —
2of£
IOOO —
£2000
2 —
750—
1500
4—
6—
IO —
500 —
250 —
IOO
2000
1500
IOOO
33—
IOO
150—
50—
30—
20 —
12
1650
3OOO
3OOO
307
"93—
15650
143 1 6
1500 PH2
Allowed pro
-es
fit
rinting
29966
6000
Charges of P
35966
34
1
£36000
The Above Calculation is three Blanks to One prize & Sub-
ject to no Deduction
[9-200] [Alleged illegal Electiori, 1775.]
Colony of New Hampshire —
To the honorable Provincial Congress to be held at Exeter 2i at
day of Decern 1- 1775 —
The Humble Petition of us the Subscribers Freeholders and
Inhabitants of Rye in the County of Rockingham Shews that
M r Nathan Goss of said Rye Carpenter at a Meeting of the free-
holders and Inhabitants of said Rye held there the Eleventh day
of this Instant by indirect ways and means obtained the major-
ity of the Votes of said Inhabitants appointing him as a Dele-
gate of said Congress, the said Goss having no real Estate in
this Colony to qualify him for that important Trust
Wherefore your Petitioners humbly pray that the said Goss
may be dismissed and that the Inhabitants of said Rye may be
admitted to a new Choice — And your Petitioners as in Duty
bound will ever pray &c
Rye Decern' 15 th 1775
ozem Doust Nehemiah Moulton William Berry Junr
Francis Jenness Arter Libbey William Berry
Joseph Jenness Henry Elkins Nathan Towl
Jonathan Towljun 1 " Samuel Elkins Nicholas Dolbeer
RYE.
363
Richard Brown
Titus Philbrick
Sam 11 Jenness
Samuel Wells
Simon Jenness
"Jonathan Goss
Job Brown
James Hobbs
Sam 11 Huntriss
Stephen Dolbeer
Rich d Jenness 3 d
Benjamin Libbey
Reuben moulton
Simon Lampere
Richard Jenness
Sam 1 Jenness Junr
Job Jennes
Job Jennes Jun 1 *
Joseph Sevey
Joseph Rand
Francis Jenness Jun r
Rich d Jenness Jun r
Jeremiah Berry
Joseph Rand Jun r
[The petition was not granted.
" allowed to take his seat." — Ed.]
Joseph Brown
abraham Libbee
William Seavey
James Lock
John Jenness Ju r
Joseph Lock
Jacob Tebbts
Jonathan Jenness
John Jenness
Amos Pain
Nathan Goss was
[R. 3-237] \_Jonathan Philbriek, Soldier, iy6o.~]
[In a petition dated March 24, 1761, James Philbrick stated
that his son Jonathan was in the province service as a pri-
vate under Capt. Jeremiah Marston in the expedition against
Canada in 1760 ; that he was taken sick at Crown Point.
He asked for an allowance to pay for getting him home, and
for the services of Dr. John Weeks of Hampton, which was
granted to the extent or ,£4, 10s. sterling.— Ed.]
[R. 3-240] \_jfoseph Towle, Soldier, i/6i.~\
[In a petition dated Feb. 4, 1761, Jonathan Towle stated
that his son Joseph was in the province service under the
command of Capt. George March, in the expedition against
Canada, and died on the way home, and " Everything he
had was lost." He asked for an allowance, which was not
granted. — Ed.]
[R. 3-241] [Samuel r and Nathaniel Mar den, Soldiers. .]
Nathaniel Marden and Samuel Marden, In the year 1775
ware sick eight or ten days and Samuel Marden died being in
the American servis and under Doctor hall Jacksons Care and
the nursing of Samuel Marden 0-1S-0
and Nathanel nursing 1-0-0
Nathanel Marden
W Au eS t~ t m i Marget X marden
Abraham. Libbee mark
3^4
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[They were in Capt.
gate's regiment. — Ed.]
Joseph Parsons's company, Win-
i
[R. 3-244.]
[Rand's Etilistment, 1776.^
Rye March the 4 1776
We the Subscribers Dvve in List in the american Servis Vnder
Mr Nathaniel Rand for oueir Captain or Lefnt
John X ordua
mark
timothy Berey
James Lock
noar Shirboun
Solomon Verell
Benjamin marden
John Rand
James Seavey
Joshua Rand
John X Verill
mark
William Rand
mark Rendell
Samuel Hunt
Samuel Molton
Samuel Morrison
Rich d Rand
Eleck Leear
Elijah Tucker
Gashiem Loumbey
Nath 1 Harris
Henry Long
hia
Eleck X Lear Jim
mark
JurWillm Gibes
Jonathan Dow
William Trefethin
Nathl L. Tucker
Alexander Morrison
Henry Shapley
Nathaniel Lear
Peter grant
Tob 9 Trundy
Joseph Rand
Thomas Lang-
John Leear
John Blunt
James Roy in
Stephen Barton
Leevey Gooss
Nathaniel Jording
John Trefethern Jur
Stephen Lawry
Job foss
Joseph Yeaton
John Rand
John Rand 3 d
Edward Rendell
William Yeaton
Samuel Rand
Nathaniel Tucker
Jur
George Rendell
Joseph horl
[R. 3-246]
[Soldiers' Orders.~\
Rye April the 16 th 1781.
To Nicklos Gilman Esq r tresuery of the State of New hamp-
sher, Pies to Pay my wagers to Jeremiah Lock Esq r as they
shall Becom Due to me as a Continental Solger and you will
oblig yours to Serv
William gregory
Sam 1 Jenncss
[R. 3-247]
Rye Dec' 9 th 1784.
To the Treasurer of the State of New Hampshire.
Sir. Please to pay Ben I. or order all that is due to me I
!
RYE. 365
having been a Soldier in the 3 d New Hampshire Reg* Value
Received, Witness my hand
his
William X Wallice
mark
Attest. John Haines John Nicholls
[R. 3-24S] \_Peter Akerman, Soldier, 1 '777.]
To the Honourable the General Court conven'd at Portsmouth
this 7 th day of June A D 17S5 —
The Petition of Peter Akerman of Rye in the State of New-
hampshire and County of Rockingham Humbly shews that
your Petitioner Enlisted a Soldier in Capt. Beel's Company
Col 1 Scamels Reg* in the year 1777 for the term of three years
that on the 19 th of September 1777 at the Battle at Bemous's
Heights your petitioner was wounded by a Musket Ball enter-
ing in at his Elbow and coming out at his Shoulder. * * * *
Rye June y e 7 th 1785 Peter Akerman
[Dr. Hall Jackson certified the truth of the foregoing,
and the legislature voted him twenty shillings per month
until further orders. — Ed.]
[Rev. Pap. p. 55] \_Rye men in Col. Nathan Hale's Batt.~\
Joseph Lock, age 22, Capt. Bell's Co.
Jonathan Lock, kt 20, u Blodgett's Co.
Abraham Clifford"
[9—201] [Relative to Continental Soldiers : addressed to the
General Court, yune 10, lySj.']
The Petition of the Inhabitants of the Parish of Rye in the
State aforesaid Humbly shews — That your Petitioners at the
commencement of the Late War had their Proportion of Conti-
nental Soldiers Liquidated to them according to the Number of
Polls in S d Parish which made their Quota for the three Regi-
ments twenty one Men — Afterwards when the other Regulation
took place and every Town sent their Men according to the tax
they paid (which we conceive is the only equitable Way) your
Petitioners Quota for two Regiments was Eleven Men which
makes it Evident their Proportion for three Regiments at the
most wou'd have been but Sixteen Men and one half — There-
fore we had three Men and one half in the Service for three
366 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Years more than our just Proportion And were also oblig'd to
send out the Militia in the same proportion which put us to
such an Expence as we have never been able to extricate our-
selves from to the present Day — Your Petitioners conceiv'd at
the Time it was more than their Equitable Proportion yet im-
prest with a Zeal to serve their Country they without hesitation
raised every Man except one and sent them into the Service — ■
Afterwards when by the misfortunes of War we were defi-
cient four Men the Honourable Court order'd us by a Resolve
To raise s d Men or pay into the Treasury of this State Eight
Hundred Dollars which sum we are utterly unable to pay — We
trust your Honours upon Examination will find if the above rep-
resentation be fact which we are ready to prove that we have had
three Men and one half in the Service for three Years more
than our Just proportion and are deficient four Men the re-
maining part of the Time by which it appears we have had
more than our full proportion of Men in the Service during the
War Comparing one Time with another
Also by being a Frontier Town we were expos'd to the fre-
quent insults of the Enemy and were oblig'd to guard the Sea
Coast a Considerable time at our own expence, besides a Num-
ber of our Seafaring men engag'd on board Continental Ships
and others of private Property which depriv'd us of their Assist-
ance and threw an additional Burden upon us — as we have
always been ready to assist even beyond our Abilities in bring-
ing about this important Era we wou'd by no means shrink
back or endeavour to throw any part of the Burden from our
Shoulders on others but are entirely willing to pay our full part
of the Expence — but no more
Relying on the justness of our Cause Your Petitioners hum-
bly pray your Honours wou'd take the same into your serious
Consideration and remit the foregoing Sum or redress them in
Such Way as you in you great Wisdom shall see meet and your
Petitioners as in duty bound shall ever pray
Joseph Persons")
David Lock > Select Men
Isaac Dow )
At a Legal Meeting" of Freeholders and other Inhabitants of
the Parish of Rye conven'd at the Meeting-house in S d Parish
on Monday the Ninth Day of June A. D. 1 7S3 —
Voted that the Selectmen Present the within Petition to the
general Court and that a Copy of this Vote be inserted on the
Back of the Petition
True Copy Attest Joseph Parsons Clerk P. T.
1
RYE.
367
1
[9-202] \_Samtcel Jenness, for a Magistrate: addressed to
the President and Council, f/84.']
We your Humble Petitioners Shoes that wharas Samuel Jen-
ness Esq r of Rye in the State aforesaid and County of Rocking-
ham has been one of our Justes of the Peas for abought Twelve
Years and in Peticular through the Dehcaltes of the Late War
and as their has Northing appeared against his Conduct in that
office we your Houmbel Peti toners prayes that he may be Re-
nued under the New Constitution and your Petitoners as in
Dutey Bound will ever Pray —
Rye January 20 th 1 784
Joseph Rand
Nathan Knowles
Samuel Daves
Jacob Reary
Richard Brown
Jonathan Lock Jun r
Samuel Walles
David Lock
Isaac Dow
Levi Goss
Wiliam Seavey
Samuel Morreson
Jonathan Jenness
Jun r
Jonathan Lock
Benjamin Jenness
Frances Jenness Jun r
Job Foss
Robord Sanders
Abraham Mathas
Samuel Rand
Daniel Seavey
Dowst Rand
Nathanel Rand
Ebenezer Walles
Daneil Mason
Walles Foss
William yeaton
Timothey Berey
Gorge Randell
William Bary
John Webster
thomas Lang
Samuel Walles
Abraham Libbey
John Jenness
William Trefetheren
Robord Sanders Jun r
Enemiah Moulton
Joseph Jenness
Rich d Webster
Jonathan Jenness
Joseph Seavey
Levi Jenness
Benjamin Maiden
John Doust
Osem Doust
Richard Jenness 3 d
Rich d Jenness Jun r
Joseph yeaton
Peter Johnson Jun r
John Foss
Bickford Lang
Jeremiah Barry
Ben jam en Maiden
Nathanel Tucker
Isrel Rand
Edward Hall
Wiliam Tucker
Joseph Hall
Simon Jenness
Frances Jenness
Joseph Rand
Joseph Rand Jun r
Tristam Sleeper
Ruben Moulton
Jonathan Towl
Samuel Towle
Stepen Rand
Jeremiah Brown
Samuel Smith
Henry Elkens
Rich d Jenness
John Jen ess
Nathanel Jenness
Nathanel Jenness
Jun'
Ruben Philbrock
Peter Jenness
John Jenness 3 d
James Brown
Job Jenness
John Brown
Eliger Lock
William Lock
Simon Jonson
Peter Garland
Neckles Dolbey
John Garland
Benjmen Garland
368
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[9-203] [Relative to the Representative Class: addressed
to the General Court, Nov. <?, 1784.]
The Petition of the Inhabitants of the Parish of Rye Humbly
shews
That the Parish of Rye when the Constitution took place was
annex'd to the Town of Newcastle in Representation which
they find to be very inconvenient expensive and injurious to the
Town on many Accounts There being no Bridge renders the
passing and repassing from one Town to the other very difficult
and at some times almost impracticable Besides under the old
Constitution they always had the liberty of sending A Repre-
sentative and they want but a very few of the Number of Rate-
able Polls assigned them in the Constitution to enable them to
send one They also conceive their is a Clause provided in the
Constitution which will entitle your Petitioners to send A Rep-
resentative without being cias'd with any other Town —
Your Petitioners Humbly pray your Honours wou'd take
their Case into your serious consideration and discontinue the
connection between them and the Town of Newcastle that Your
Petiteoners may have the Liberty of sending a Representative
by themselves and your Petitioners as in duty Bound will ever
pray &c
Joseph Philbrick
Jonathan Jenness Nicholas Dolbeer
John Foss Peter Johnson Jun r
Rich d Lock Jun r
Thomas Lansr
Levi Jenness
Tonathan Jenness
John Foss
John Garland
James Perkins
Sam 11 Knowls
Rich d Webster
Peter Jenness
Joseph Parsons
David Lock
Nathan Goss
Timothy Berry
Joseph Rand
Joseph Garland
James Goss
Joseph Lock
Elijah Lock Jun r
James T Berry
Peter Johnson
John Garland
Jonathan Lock
Benjamin Garland
William Maiden
Samuel D foss
George Randell
imas
Jonathan Hobbs
Sam 11 Lebbee
Simon Johnson
Rich d Jenness 3 d
Jonathan Lock Jun r
Eleck Lear
John Seavey
George Randall
Sam 11 Morison
Will" 1 Yeaton
Nathan kowls
Isaac Seveay
Samuel Wallis Jur r
Jeremiah Berry
Henry Elkins
Reuben Moulton
Levi Goss
John Fove
Daniel Masson
William Lock
Jonathan Philbrick
Nathaniel foos
Samuel Elkins
John Varrell
Joseph Man Ju r
Joseph Philbrick Jun r
Rich* Brown
James Brown
Benjamin Mardin
Jun r
John Jenness
George Rand
Isaac Dow
Simon Jenness
EBenezer Berry
Nat 11 Foss Jun r
Sam 11 Berry
Ebenezer Walliss
James hobbs
Joseph Rand
Nathanil marden
Abraham Libbey
Nathancll Jenness
Sam 1 Tenness
RYE. 369
I
[9-204] \Report of a Committee on laying out a Road,
i 7 8 4 .-\
We the Subscribers Appointed by the hon ble Court of General
Sessions of the peace to lay out a Road from that which runs by
Rye Meetinghouse to Long lane (so Called) have done the
Same in the following Manner Viz* Beginning at the South
East Corner of Land of Samuel Rand & Benjamin Marden
thence running on the Easterly side of said Land North about
31 degrees west So Rods thence North 15 Degrees west through
a Corner of Samuel Dowse Foss's Land leaving as Much of a
Corner of said Rand and Mardens Land into said Foss's Land
on this point 11 Rods — to be fenced by the Parish of Rye
thence Northwest About 40 Degrees So Rods to Portsm Line —
Which Road we have laid Out two Rods wide & have Esti-
mated the Land being two Acres & Twenty two Rods at Ten
pounds Ten Shillings to be paid to the said Rand & Marden by
the Parish of Rye — The removing and building 171 Rods of
1 Fence to be done & paid by the said Parish of Rye — From the
said Portsmouth Line we proceeded North about 47 Degrees
Weston the Easterly side of Mark Langs Land 173^2 Rods
thence on the same Course on the Easterly side of Sherburnes
Land 121 Rods to the said Long lane Road — It Appeared to us
that there was a Priviledge of a Road three Rods wide from
said Long Lane to New Castle & Portsmouth Line Nearly in
the same place where we have laid out said Road and we have
Estimated the making 173^2 Rods of Fence at Thirty pounds
to be paid to M r Mark Lang by the Town of Portsmouth and
the Making 121 Rods of Fence at Twenty one pounds three
shillings to be paid to said Sherburne by said Town of Ports-
mouth — May 5 th 17S4 —
, W m Weeks
Ephraim Pickering
Joseph Dow
A Copy Att d N Emery Jun r Clerk pro Tern
Js. Peace
4 [9—205] [Petition relative to JSIilitary Grievances : address-
ed to the General Court, Feb. 9, i/Sj^
The Petition of the Inhabitants of the Parish of Rye Humbly
shews — That your Petitioners by Virtue of an Act passed the
last Session of the General Assembly were dissolved from their
Connection with the first Reg* in this State and Joind with the
Reg* Commanded by Col 1 Moulton which is very inconvenient
to the Town in many respects — Your Petitioners before the
26
370 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
commencement of the late War were an Independent Company
— after the War began they were join'd to the I st Reg 1 which
though it was not so agreeable to the Town yet considering the
difficulty of the Times they acquies'd in it and wou'd still have
remained happy in their Station had not your Honours seen
cause to have alter'd their situation which besides other incon-
veniences it maketh our travel more than Double Your Peti-
tioners can't conceive the Reason why they shou'd be singled
out as the only Time-serving Company in the State this being
the fifth Time they have been shifted about from one Reg 1 and
Station to another which they conceive has not been the Case
with any other Campany in this State or even on the Continent
— Being conscious that they have always discharged their Duty
in every Measure that tended to the public Good they Imagine
the Method now adopted will be a means of breaking up the
peace and good Order that now subsists in the town — Your Pe-
titioners therefore pray your Honours wou'd restore them to the
Station they were in before the War in being an Independent
Company as they conceive there is the same reason for their be-
ing an Independent Company now .there was then (as they
never forrieted the Birth- — ) But if that shou'd be found incon-
sistent with the public Weal your Petitioners pray they may
have the Liberty of reuniting with the i 8t Reg' again or if your
Honours for any particular Reason shou'd not see cause to
grant the prayer of this petition your Petitioners pray they may
have a Day thereon and your Petitioners as in duty bound shall
ever pray
Joseph Parsons Beniamin Marden Abraham Libbee
Nathaniel Rand Steven Marden Josep Rand
Joseph Seavey Alexander Salter John Garland
John Webster George Rendall Joseph Libbe
Daniel Fitsgreald Jotham Berry Joshep Rand Jun r
William Verill george Rendall Jun r Levi Jenness
Thomas Rand William yeaten Jacob Brry
John Rand nathaniel Foss Benjamin Jenness
Levi Goss Abraham Mathews Isaac Dow
Ebenezer Seavey Samuel Libbee William Lock
Samuel Lear Joseph Rand Richard Lock
Benjamin Lear Thomas Lang Simon Jenness
eleck Lear Sam 11 Walliss Jun r Joseph Lock Jun r
Joshua Rand John Varrill Peter Garland
James Seavey Ebenezer walliss John Garland Juner
Robert Sanders Jun r Daniel Mason Jonathan Garland
James Seavy Jun r Dudley Norton Simon Garland
John Seavy Nehemiah Molten Simon Garland Jun
Amos Seavey Samuel Morrison Josph Garland
i
SALEM.
371
Samuel Wallies
James Seavey
William Seavey
John Foye
william Berry
Robert Sanders
Simon Knowles
William Sanders
John Foss
Job Foss
Joseph Hall
Israel Rand
Edward Hall
Richard Green
Timothy Berry
Edward Varrell
Joseph Yeaten
Rich* Webster
Nathaniel Marden
i uner
William Trefethen
Josiah Webster
William Marden
Peter Akerman
Jeremiah Berry
Levi Berry
Jonathan Hobbs
Solomon Berry
James Hobbs
Benjamin Garland
Aons Garland
James T. Berry
Benjamin Marden Ju r
James Goss
Jonathan Lock
John Lock
Jonathan Lock Ju r
Merefield Berry
Ebennezer Berry
Samuel wells
John dowst
Jonathan dowst
Richard Jenness 3
Nicholas Dolbeer
John Lang
Bickford Lang
John Garland
Nathan Knowls
John Knowls
Nathan Goss
Elijah Lock
Joseph Philbrick
Job Jenness
Rich d Jenness Jun
John Browne
John Lock
David Smith
Sam 11 Elkens
Sam 11 Jenness
John Jenness Jur
Peter Jenness
Jonathan Jenness
James brown
Jonathan wedgwood
James Dow
Joseph Jenness
Nathanail Rand Jun
<
SALEM.
The town was incorporated by the governor and council
May 11, 1750, and comprised a portion of the territory
which had previously been known as the " Haverhill dis-
trict," and the territory severed from Methuen and Dracut,
Mass., by the settlement of the province line. The petition
for incorporation may be found in Vol. IX, p. 749. Pre-
vious to its incorporation it had existed as a district, by
virtue of an act passed March 18, 1741-42, which applied
to all territory taken from Massachusetts towns by the set-
tlement of said line, until it was incorporated into, or an-
nexed to, towns in New Hampshire.
A dispute arising between Salem and Windham, concern-
ing the line between the two towns, was settled by the gov-
ernor and council by an instrument dated January 9, 1752,
establishing a new line.
Salem man in First New Hampshire Regiment: Moses
Heath enlisted April 6, 1781 ; discharged December, 1781.
372
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[9-2 1 1] [Relative to formation of Counties : addressed to
the General Assembly \ iy6g.~\
The Petition of us the Subscribers being Inhabitants of the
Town of Salem in Said Province, Most Humbly Sheweth that
jour Petitioners being Informed, that the Province is about be-
ing divided into Counties for the ease and Benefit of the Inhab-
itants in General, In transacting their Business of a Publick
Nature, And being also Informed that the General Assembly
have Voted a small County, to be Set off adjacent to the West-
erly Side of Merrimack River. Your Petitioners pray that the
Towns of Bow Chester Londonderry Pelham Plastow Salem
Hampstead & Sandown which lay Conveniently situated to said
County may be Annexed thereto, as would Save the most of
the Inhabitants of Said Towns thirty Miles travel in transacting
their Business with the Courts Judges of Probates Registers
v&c. And no other Person whatsoever would as your Petition-
ers Conceive be Injured thereby — And your Petitioners as in
Duty Bound shall ever Pray &c —
Evan Jones Stephen wheeler James Gregg
Richard Kimball Stephen Wheeler J r John Clement
Daniel Peasle J°" a Wheeler Rob 4 young
Abel Chase John Johnson Arron Copp
Daniel Massey William wheeler John Rowell
Benj tt wheeler J°hn Cross Oliver Dow
Abijah Wheeler Joseph ordway
Jonathan Massey Samuel ordway
[Other petitions of the same nature contain the follow-
ing:]
Robert Spear
Richard Kelly
Nathan Webster
Hasadiah Woodbery
Eben r Woodbery
Hugh Campbll
Jonathan Woodbery
Joseph Hull
John Smith
Arter Corkwood
Ebenezer Hall
Benj n Nesmith
John Bradford
Israel Woodbery
John Woodbery
Wi 11 Smith Jut-
Joseph merrill
Isarel Ober
Ebenezer Page
Abbit Pettengill
Daniel Hardy
Timothy Merrill
Amos Merrill
Jonathan Baley
Rapha Hall
W m Leech
David Hall
John Jaques
John Jaques Juer
thomas Runnels
Nathan Hesseltine
Daniel Hesselton
Nathll webster
John Baley Juner
moses Baley
Joshua Emerson Ju r
Seth Patee
Jerediah Patee
Nath" Merrell
Rich d Patee
Edw d Patee
Oliver Kimball
Peter Merrill
James Clough
Benoni Rowell
SALEM.
373
Simon Bradford
William Thorn
Elisha woodbery
Timothy Lankaster
I Asa Colles
John Lovvel juner
Joseph Cresey
Jonathan Colles jun
Richard Thisell
Jona n Frye
Jesse merril
John Giles
John Ellinvvood
thomas mackglath-
lon
John moorland
Willam moorland
VVi 11 Gordin
William Smith
■ Joshua heath
peter morrill jun
Daniel Corlis
Wimon Clough
David Heath
Jonathan Corlis
Morse Corlis
william Clough
John Corning
Abial Asten
John Hall
Joshua Hall
Oliver Kimball jur
David Neviens
Derry & Chester, &c
Tho 8 Douglass
W m Sanders
Nath 11 Dow
Jeremiah Dow
Oliver Sanders
Richard Dow
Asa Dow
Rich d Cresey
Timothy Emerson
Daniel Bedel
Jacob Bedel
John Currier Ju r
Joshua Sanders
Jonathan Terry
James Hastings
Daniel Ladd
Stephen Currier
John Kelly
John Lowell
John Bayley
Jonathan Bayley iur
Thomas silver
Jonathan Hesseltine
Samuel Hilton
Asa Rowell
Philip Rowell
John Allen
Philip Clement
Sam 11 Clement
Israel young
Nath' 1 Woodman
Caleb Duston
Daniel Gorden
John Currier
Johnson Hulehon
Abraham Ames
Alexnder Gordon
Job Corliss
Emil webster
George Corliss
William Corliss
Amos Dow
Samuel Kelley
Richard Dow J r
James Jones
Sam 11 Sanders
Joseph Sanders
Peter Pa tee
W m Clement
Josiah Rowell
Josiah Rowell Junr
?
[9-214] \_Relative to Service in the Army, 1778. JVames of
Soldiers furnished. ~\
The Petition of Richard Dow of Salem in the County of
Rockingham in Said State Esq r Agent for the inhabitants of
Said Salem — Humbly Sheweth — That the Said inhabitants being
Sensible of the Justice & importance of the Grand American
cause and the Expediency of the present Opposition of the
United States against the Bloody & unrelenting hand of British
Tyranny ; Sc the Necessity not only of Each State but the Sev-
eral Towns ; & even individuals in the Respective States to
raise their full Proportion of men for filling up the Continental
Army & other Requisitions for the Support of Such opposition
— Have at all times chearfully exerted themselves to comply
with every order & Requisition for those purposes, and notwith-
standing many Embarrasments have heretofore been able to
374 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
furnish their full Quota of men and taxes without delay, and
upon every alarm turned out a very large proportion of Volun-
teers in the Cause of their Country — That orders were issued
for raising twenty five men to Serve as Soldiers in the three
New Hampshire Reg ts in the Continental Army for three years
or during the war — Upon which Said Inhabitants with great
Difficulty & Expence, in due time, procur d twenty two of Said
men who Serv d in the Continental Army the last years Cam-
paign — That contrary to the Resolves of this State & the State
of the Massachusetts Bay, five able bodied Effective men have
inlisted & now are Soldiers in the Continental Reg ts Raised by
the Said State of Massachusetts Bay — (viz.) John M c Nell in
Cap' Hustons Company. John Howard, uncertain in whose
Company & both of Coin 1 Grains Reg' Nath 11 Woodbury in Cap'
Billy Porters Company & the late Coin 1 Francis 8 Reg', James
Berry in Cap' Marshalls company in Coin Marshalls Reg' &
Enoch Bailey, uncertain whose Reg* he belongs to, which has
drain d of Every man from amongst us that could be Spar d with-
out great injury to the Town — That the families of three of the
Aforesaid Soldiers are chargeable to the Inhabitants of Said
Town in such Manner that notwithstanding the charity of indi-
viduals, which has been very considerable the Expence has not
been less than fifteen Dollars p r week for many months past,
and the Charges are likely to increase, without the least Pros-
pect of Assistance from the Soldiers to whom those families
respectively belong — all which has hitherto prevented Said in-
habitants from procuring the other three Soldiers required of
them by the orders aforesaid —
Wherefore your Petitioner in his Capacity aforesaid, without
troubling your Honours with any larger detail of Grievances,
begs leave humbly to pray That this Honourable Court would
take the Premises into your wise consideration & Direct Some
method of procedure whereby the aforesaid Soldiers may be
allowed as part of the Quota of Said Town of Salem in Such
Sort & manner as that Said Inhabitants may be Released from
procuring those three Soldiers for making up and Compleating
twenty five as afores d or any other way and Manner that your
Hour' Shall See good to Relieve the Said inhabitants and your
Petitioner, Agent as aforesaid As in duty bound will ever pray
&c Richard Dow
[R. 3-249] [Petition of John Balch, by Jacob Bayley,
his attorney, who stated that he enlisted in the army in
1759, in Captain Bayley's company; was taken sick at Al-
bany, and was discharged in August. He asked to have an
allowance to pay Dr. Symonds Baker for attendance. — Ed.]
_
SALEM. 375
[R. 3-252] [Daniel Peaslee, administrator of the estate of
John Beadle, of Salem, stated that said Beadle was in the
army in 1760, took the small-pox, and died. He asked for
an allowance for the expenses of his sickness. Petition
was dated May 27, 1762. — Ed.]
[R. 3-253] [Soldiers' Orders, 1778, .]
To Col Gilman treasurer Genearal Pies to Pay to Cap* Jere-
miah Dow my ration money for my Servis in the Campain at
Stilwater in the year 1777 I Being in Col° Drakes Ridger-
ment & Cap 1 Jesse Pages Company & you will oblidge yours
Salem November y e 16 : 1778
Abijah Wheeler Lieut.
[R- 3-*54]
Salem in New Hamshir March 6 th 1778. mr. Nick Gilman
Steate treasury Sur plese to pay to Cap 1 Jeremiah Dow my Bel-
iten and rosians and twile A Blige yours to sarve
Benj tt Hall
[R. 3-255] [Petition of Aaron Copp, Soldier, I77Q.~\
To the Honb 1 the Council & house of Representatives for said
State —
Humbly Sheweth, Aaron Copp of Salem in said state that
your petitioner engaged in the service of the United states for
three years, in Capt n Stones Company in Col Scammels Reg*
and being in Battle at Bemus's heights near Still water on the
7 th of October 1777 received a wound in his arm which rendered
him unfit for service, on account of which he received a furlow
on the 23 d of Nov r following, and after his Return home was at
considerable expense with Surgeons, & for Board, as will ap-
pear by the accounts herewith exhibited, and after being healed
of said wound Returned to the army — but being then unfit for
duty was discharged from said Service on y e 2i Bt of May 1779.
* * * * Aaron Copp.
Exeter Nov' 5 th 1779.
[He was enrolled on the half-pay list. — Ed.]
376 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[R. 3-258]
[Emerson Corliss, of Salem, in a petition dated Dec. 16,
1794, stated that he was heir to Jonathan Corliss, who was
with the army on the retreat from Canada, and sustained
sundry losses for which he wanted pay. — Ed.]
[Rev. Pap. p. 55.] [Salem Man in Col Nathan Hales 2d
N. H. Battalion.']
Solomon Cole, age 35, Capt. Robinson's Co.
[9-2 15 ] [Petition for Incorporatio?i of the Baptist Society:
addressed to the General Court. ~\ -
The peteiton of Richard Kimball Jeams Webster and others
the subscribers inhabitance of the town of Salem County and
State aforesaid and in its vicinity most humbly shew that thay
with thare famielies and each of them have long since ben and
still continue to be of that religos perswaison Called Baptists
that thay have for many years paid and Suported at thare one
Expence an orthodox Minister of that princable who wos in-
stalled over the church and congregation and officiated as Such
utill he wos Called by the providance of God to leave this world
and in order and for the incouragement of a nother pious and
orthodox Minister to Setle among us as well to regulate our in-
ternal affairs as a Religos Society ought to be governed and for
other pies and Lardable purpuses we and each of us most
humbly suplycate your Honors that we and each of us may be
incorprated into a Society in Salem aforesaid by the Name Stile
and title of the Baptist christian Society to have and to hold all
the Bowers Rights priveliges as other incorprated churches and
Congregations professing the christion Religion in the State
aforesaid possessis and retains and as in Duty bound will ever
pray
Rich d Kimball Isaiah Wheeler Samuel Marbcl
James Webster Nathaniel Woodman xVsa Corless
Philip Rowell Richard Wheeler John Saunders
Oliver Sanders Richard Kimball J r Luke Woodberry
Jacob Rowell Jonathan Wheeler Jonathan Patee
Abner Woodman Lemuel Rowell Jonathan Cross
Silas Wheeler Nathaniel kelley David Wheeler
Enoch Merrill Joseph harries Aaron Copp
Warren Wheeler Ebenezer Woodbery Oliver Dow Jur
SALEM.
377
Joseph Hull John Woodbery
Amos Wheeler John Page
Samuel Rowell Dudley Bayley
Rawlings Webster Bena Rawlings
Edmund Chase
Israel woodbery
[9-216]
\_Return of Ratable Polls, 1783^
A Return of the Male Poles from 21 y n & upwards for the
Town of Salem Footed 235
Dated Salem Dec br 15 17S3
Abbit Pettengill ) Select men
William Thorn j for Salem
[Sworn to before Timothy Ladd, justice of the peace.
Ed.]
[9-221] \_Petition to have an Election set aside, iy8j.']
Humbly Sheweth the Subscribers inhabitance of the Town of
Salem in said State that at their meeting for the electing a Rep-
resentative the Present year they proceeded in their Said meet-
ing without aney Regard to the oath of Said State appointed to
be taken by a Law of said state by the Electors previous to
their voting in aney Town meetings that aney & all persons
voted in said Election as well those whoe had not taken Said
oath as those who had & your petitioners are of opinion that
many more vots ware thrown by those who had not taken Said
oath than by those who had & therefore they are of opinion that
Said meeting & election are altogether Contrary to law & null
and void wharefore your petitioners pray that Said Election
may be enquired into & if the same is found to be illegal that
they may have another precept in order that they may be Rep-
resented in Said Court agreeable to the laws of Said State and
your petitioners as in Duty bound may ever Pray &c
Dated Salem february 13: 17S3
Mathew Tayler William Duty
Triad* Butler
Rob' Young
Stephen Currier
John Kelly
Will Somes Kelly
John Low el
John Baily
Samuel kelley
David Bursiel
Simeon Clement
Thomas Dow
Abner Woodman
John Johnson
John Spaflbrd
Samuel Webster
Timothy Swan
John messer
Benja Woodbery
David messer
Elijah Hall
William woodbery
John Lovvel juner
378
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Stephen Wheeler
James Webster
Silus wheeler
Dudley Bay ley
Jonathan Massey
Israel Woodbery
Moody Morse
Evan Jones
Oliver Kimball
Jonathan Bayley
Samuel Aver
William Ayer
Nath 11 webster
william clough
Wooster Emerson
Nath 11 merrill
John Bayley iuner
John merrill iu
Jonathan Hesseltine
J r .
william Clough ir
Asa Pettengill
Danil Hesseltine
Danil Hesseltine
Jonathan Pettengill
[9-217]
\_Relative to an Election, i/'8j,'\
Sir The Subscribers Selectmen &c of Salem having been
informed that they were So very unhappy when before the
Honb 11 house Yesterday, as not to State the facts & Communi-
cate their Ideas Respecting the Number of Quallifid Voters
that Gave their Suffrages for Cap 1 Allen in his late Election in
a manner so intellegeble as to be properly Understood therefore
beg leave Through Your Hon 1- to State To the Hon ble House
the following Explanation Viz — that at the Said Election there
was about Twenty Seven Jurors Or persons that had taken y e
Oath of Allegeance that Gave there Suffrages for Said Allen —
and there ware But About Seventeen Votes for Any Other Per-
sons what Soever Except what were for Said Allen & Not more
than one to the Best of our Knoledge of the Number last men-
tioned that had Taken the s d Oath — This explaination we ad-
judged was Our Dutey to Give to The Hon bl Court — & hope it
will Not be Disagreable
we are with Sentiments of Esteem your Hon 8 Most Obed*
Servants —
Exete r 27 Feb r 1783
Wm Thorn Moderator
Abbit Pettengill
Tho 8 Runels
Phinehas Gorden Town Clerk
Selectmen
Hon° Speaker of the Hon bl house of Representatives
[9-218] [Relative to the Election of yoJin Allen as Repre-
sentative: addressed to H. oj~ Rep., iySj.~\
The Subscribers freeholders & inhabetence of the Town of
Salem in S d State having been Informd that a few Persons be-
longing to S d Salem have Exhibited to your Hon" objactions a
SALEM.
379
gainst the Choice of Cap 1 John Allen being Representative for
S d Town in the house of Represantives for S d iState alledging
that S Choice was Illegal! and that the Ellectors who voted in
S d Choice Not being Duly Qiialliried as by the Law of S d State
is Diracted Respecting which the Subscribers beg Leave to
Suggest to your Hon rs that most Part of those who have Joynd
in the objactions are a mongst those who have Not here to fore
Quallified them Selves to be voters by Taking the oath of El-
lidgence and wee Reasonably Supose object to the Choice
Meaning to Disturbe the harmoney that Subsist amongst us
that the Inhabetence of S d Town Proceeded in S d Choice of
Capt alien in all Respacts a Greable to what we under Stood
to be the Law of S d State and that if there was the Least verea-
tion from Law in their proceeding Respacting it it oregenated
Intirely from a want of Information and Not from the Least Int-
timation of Casting Contempt on the Laws or othority of S d
State and there fore the Subscribers Humbly Request your
Hon" Not to Set a Side S d Choice of Capt alien and that he
may Continue to Represente S d Town in the Gen 11 assembly
which will Not only prevent a vast Deal of Troble & Expence
to S d Town but wall very much Oblige your Hon r * most obedt
Humble Serv t9 —
John Ellenwood
David Hall
Joseph Bowls
Reuben Bowls
William Smith
Elisha Woodbery
William Smith Jr
Daniel Silver
John Moreland Asa Corlles
James Moorland Wyman Clough
Lawrence Burkley Josiah Clough
James mc glaughlon Josiah Thissel
thomas mc glaugh- Richard thissel
Ion John Hall
Solomon Smith
Francis Smith
[Other petitions for the same purpose contained the fol
Ed.]
lowing
Richard Clement
John Clement
Rob r Ellingwood
Richard Kelly
Israel ober
Samuel Johnson
Peter Duston
Asa Rowell
Joshua Bayley
Simon Bradford
William Bradford
Zech woodbery
Benf Bixby
Timothy Duston
Joshua Hall
James Hastinges
Junior
James Hastinges
Richard Kiley Ju r
John lankester
Simon Johnson
Thomas Douglass
David Nevens
John Smith Juner
Joshua Baley Ju r
Heman amy
George Amy
Alexander Gorden
Edward Patee
John mars Baley
Stephen Duston
Ebenezer Duston
wiliam Clement
Philip Rowell
Nathan Asten
peter Asten
38o
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Luke Woodberry
Samuel Cross
John Woodberry
Robert Campbell
Hugh Campbell
Stephen Rollins
David Rollings
Joseph Leach
Dudley Merrill
Enoch m err ill
David Merrill
Joseph merrill
Dn 11 P. Merrill
Nathan Webster
Henry W T oodbery
Natl/ 1 Gorrell
Nath 11 Woodbery
Daniel Morrill
John Bradford
William Gordon
Robert Bradford
Samuel Corlis 9
Ebenezer woodberry John Smith
Daniel Massey John merill
Jonath 11 Tenny
Asa Tenny
Moses Asten
oliver Kimball Ju 1
Adam Cole
Ebnezer page
Jn a Emerson
Asa Dow
Henry Lankster
Nathaniel Dow
Jonathan Gorden
[9—223] [Petition for Appointment of a Field Officer, iy84.~\
This petition of us Subscribers Humbly seueth, —
- Being sensable of the new Establishment of an agreeable
Mode of Government in this State, & that it is absolutely nec-
essary that good & Wise Men be commisioned to carry into
Execution the good & wholsom Laws that is or shall be made
for the preserving of Saiftv, liberty, & property, of the good
Subjects of s d State. It is expected by the people here that a
new Settlement of this Rigement will take place soon & that it
will fall to the lot of Salem to have one field Officer as there
are two very fine Companies & pay Tax perhaps as large any
Town in the Rigement
We Y r Humble petitioners earnestly pray that Abraham
Dow Esq ; may be the Man that is so Commisioned for a field
Officer he being capable & sutable therefor We make no doubt
will answer every intention Y r Excellency & Honors could
Wish for.
This Y r patitioners are bound in Duty & shall ever pray —
Salem July 12 th 17S4 —
Moody Morse Nath u woodman
Daniel Gorden Jeremiah Dow
James Webster Samuel Kelly
Jonathan Massey
[9-224] [Baptist Society for Incorporatioyi, I797*~\
The petition of Richard Kimbal James Webster & others
the subscribers inhabitants of the town of Salem County &
state afors d and in its Vicinity most humbly shew
T~
SALISBURY.
381
/
That they with their families & each of them have long since
been & still continue to be of that religious persuasion called
Baptists that they have for many years paid and supported at
their own expence an Orthodox minister of that principle who
was installed over their Church & congregation, & officiated as
such, until he was called by the providence of GOD to leave
this world — And in order & for the encouragement of another
pious & orthodox minister to settle among us, as well to regu-
late our internal affairs as a religious societv ought to be gov-
erned, & for other pious & laudable purposses
We and each of us most humbly supplicate your honors, that
we and each of us, may be incorporated into a seperate society
in Salem a for s d by the name stile & title of the Baptist Chris-
tian Society —
To have & to hold all the uowers, rights, privelages, prerog-
atives, as other incorporated Churches & congregations profes-
sing the christian religion in the state afors d possesses & retains
— And as in duty bound will ever pray —
David Wheeler Samuel Kellv
James Webster
Richard Kimbal
Abner Woodman
Richard Wheeler
Jacob Rowell
Lemuel Rowell
Warren Wheeler
John Page
Nath 1 Woodman
Philip Rowell
Raw ling Webster
Jon a Wheeler
Silas Wheeler
Samuel Marble
Moses Brown
Jon a Page
Aron Copps
Richard Kimbal Ju
Dudly Bay ley
Isaiah Wheeler
Joseph Harris
James Rowell
John Saunders
Oliver Saunders
Ebenezer Woodbury
John Woodbury
Amos Wheeler
Nathaniel Kelly
Luke Woodbury
Barnard Kimbal
Enoch Merrill
Benj a Ravvlings
Nath 1 Woodman
Stephen Wheeler
[In H. of Rep., December 5, 1797, the petitioners were
granted leave to bring in a bill. — Ed.]
SALISBURY.
The township was originally granted by the government
of the province of Massachusetts, under which it was called
Bakers-town.
The settlement of the province boundaries in 1741 made
the grant void, and the territory, proving to be within the
bounds of the Masonian Proprietors' Purchase, was granted
382 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
by them to Col. Ebenezer Stevens, of Kingston, and others,
October 25, 1749, and went by the name of Stevens-town,
until it was incorporated by the governor and council of
New Hampshire, March 1, 1768, and named Salisbury.
Among the first settlers were Ebenezer and John Web-
ster, Edward Eastman, Nathaniel Meloon, and Philip Call,
some of whom settled as early as 1750.
Col. Ebenezer Webster, who settled in this town in 1763,
was born in Kingston in 1739. He was in the province
service in 1757 to 1759, and at one time a member of " Rog-
er's Rangers ;" an officer in the militia, and in command of
a company at the battle of Bennington in 1777 ; also in the
Rhode Island expedition in 1778, and at West Point ; a
judge of the court of common^pleas from 1791 to 1806;
state senator in 1785, 1786, 178%, and 1790. He was the
father of Ezekiel, an eminent lawyer, who was born in 1780,
and of the renowned Daniel, who was born in 1782. He
died in 1806, aged 67 years.
By an act passed December 24, 1828, some territory was
severed from the east end of the town, combined with por-
tions of Andover, Northfield, and Sanbornton, and erected
into the town of Franklin.
By an act passed July 7, 1869, some territory was sev-
ered from the town of Franklin, and annexed to this town.
Salisbury men in First New Hampshire Regiment.
John Ash enlisted March 8, 1777; discharged December
3i,i78i. t
Annanias Bohonon enlisted March 13, 1781 ; discharged
December 31, 1781.
Thomas Cross served 20 days ; discharged 1780.
Levi Lufkin enlisted April 9, 178 1 ; discharged Decem-
ber 31, 1 78 1.
John Smith enlisted March, 178 1 ; discharged December
31, 1781.
Samuel Saunders enlisted March, 17S1 ; discharged De-
cember, 178 1.
[9-225] [Action of the Legislature relative to Guarding
the Frontiers, iyj4.~\
At a Special Convention of the members of the General as-
sembly at Portsmouth on the twenty Second day of August
y~
SALISBURY. 383
1754, in Pursuance of an order from his Excellency the Gov-
ernor to the Sheriff of Said Province to Summon the members
to meet as on file
Whereas his Excellency the Governor, by his message of the
twenty first Instant, takes Notice of Sundry Hostilitys Commit-
ted upon Sundry of his majestys Subjects at a place called Ste-
vens's Town, within this Province (by Indians Supposd to be of
the Saint Francis Indians) and that the Inhabitants on the Fron-
tiers are much exposed and so put in fear, That they Stand in
need of Protection and Help — Therefore it is agreed upon by
the members of the House of Representatives that there be the
number of Sixty Men enlisted or Impressed and his Excellency
is hereby desird to Give orders for the enlisting or Impressing
that number for the Protection and Defence of the Frontiers not
exceeding the Space of Two |nonths and that the allowance for
their Pay Subsistance and ammunition be the Same as at the
latter end of the last Indian War and in order for a fund there-
for, It is further agreed, That there be so much of the Bills of
Credit of the Interest of the Twenty five Thousand Pounds Loan
in the hands of the Treasurer borrowed as will be Sufficient for
the Same ; And that for the Replacing the Same in the Treas-
ury it is further agreed, That there be a Tax layd on the Polls
& Estates within this Province agreeable to the last Proportion,
to be paid by the thirtyeth day of December 1755 — and that
there shall be a Tax Bill for that end as soon as the General
assembly shall be in a Condition to act in a Legislative Ca-
pacity —
Meshech Weare Speaker
[The following memorandum is on the back of the orig-
inal. — Ed.]
10 men of Chandlers Co — 8 days
10 men Volunteers — 16 days
30 men ordered to Stevins Town
20 do to VValpole &c
10 men Col Gilmans Reg 1 posted at Nottingham 14 d*
10 d° at Epsom Col° Smiths Reg' 14 d s
[9—226] [ Captivity of Samuel Scribncr, I75Q.~\
The Petition of the Subscriber (who was an Inhabitant in
that place Called Stevens's Town in the Province afores d ) Hum-
bly Shevveth
That your Excellency & Hon 1-8 Petitioner (with one of his
Neighbours) was getting their Hay in a Meadow in the year
384 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
J 759 where they were iVttack'd by a Company of Indians &
taken prisoners & Carried off into a doleful Captivity : and after
Some time your Petitioner was Sold to a French Gentleman
(if he may be so Called) who was one of the most Haughty
Tyrannical & Barbarous of the Romish Religion : Preferring
his meanest Slaves to a New England Heretick : and your poor
Petitioner remained under their Tyranny, until the time of re-
demption, Came for when the Hon bIe Coll 11 Schyler was releasd
& Sent home it was the Petitioners Lot to be releasd & Sent
home with him ; for which Mercyful deliverance your poor Pe-
titioner Cannot be Enough thankful yet when Comeing-Home
out of his Miserable Captivity, with Scarcely Cloaths to his
back & finding a wife with Six Small Children (one of which
was born in the time of the Petitioners Captivity) ; moved
down to Kingstown and there htiveing been Supported much
by Charity were borely on it ; in regard of Cloathing and have-
ing little or no provision laid in renders the Case of your Peti-
tioner yet very distressing : Wherefore your poor Petitioner
Humbly moves for an Interest in the Compassions of your Ex-
cellency and Hon" praying that in your great goodness & mer-
cy, you will be pleasd to Grant to your Petitioner something ;
as your Excellency & Hon" shall think meet in order to pro-
vide for & help Support your poor Petitioner & his distressed
family : at least till the Revolveing season Shall Come wherein
your Petitioner by the divine direction asistance & Blessing may
in the Common Course of Nature & Providence provide for
himself .& family : and so your Petitioner Humbly leaves the
State of himself & family : with your Excellency & Hon" pray-
ing your Serious Consideration thereof and Some Gift from
this great & Gen 11 Court &c and to your Petitioner shall as in
duty Bound ever pray &c —
his
Samuel X Scribner
mark
Kingstown february the 26 th day 1759
[The petition was dismissed. — Ed.]
[9-226^] [Relative to a division of Lots, I773.~\
Kingston July 13 th 1773.
at a Meeting of the Proprietors of Salisbury in the Province
of New Hampshire
jfttiy Josiah Bartlett chosen Moderator —
ythTy Voted to make another division of Lots to each original
right in said Town —
SALISBURY.
385
gthiy Voted M r Benjamin Huntoon Cap* John Webster &
M r Sinkler Bean be a Committee to see the laying out said Di-
vision —
Extract from the Proprietors Records
Andrew Bowers P. C.
[R. 3-259] [Petition of Peter Bovven of New Salisbury, in
the province of New Hampshire, states " That he Inlisted in
the year 1755 into the Province Service as a private Soldier,
under the Command of Major Robert Rogers." He was
wounded, and asked for an allowance, which was granted to
the extent of ^15. See following.]
[R. 3-260] This may certify whom it may Concern that
Peter Bowen of Salisbury was in the Provincial Service in the
year 1755 under the command of Major Rogers who was then
a Captain, and that the Gun of*one Charles Mcauly a soldier
discharged accidentally being Loaded with a Ball, which en-
tered the Head of the said Peter near his right eye and blew
the same out, I being personally present and see the same —
December 24 th 1770 —
John Stark, Lieut to said Company
The Bearer hereof Peter Bowen having been under the care
of Docf Carter my deceast Husband having had the misfortune
of losing his eye sight by a shott of a Gun while in the province
service: His account to the Docf amounted to upwards £200
O : T :
Attested by Ruth Fowler
Boscawen Decern 1- 3 d 1770.
[R. 3-261] [A List of the Traini7ig Soldiers of the Town
of Salisbury, drawn May 27, Ijy6.~\
Serjeant Jacob
Cochrin
Serjeant William
Newton
Serjeant Ananiah
Bohonon
Serjeant Phineas
Been
Richard Purmit
Cutting Stevens
David Petti ngill
Nath 1 Marston
27
Stephen Webster
Philip flanders
Ephraim Colby
David Hall
Jeremiah Webster
Shubael Greeley
Job Heath
Ephraim Heath
Benj n Howard
William Eastman
Reuben Greeley
Jeremiah Eastman
Jonathan Fifield
Abraham Fifield
Joseph Fifield
Abel Elkins
Jonathan Cram
Moses Woodman
Jacob Garland
Edward Fifield
Reuben Hoit
William Searle
Jacob Bohonon
William Webster
386
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Ezekiel Lunt
Stephen Cross
Benj n Basford
Reuben Kezar
Jacob True
Daniel Felch
John Brown
Edward Eastman
Daniel Lowell
John Sanborn
Benj n Eastman
Eben r Clifford
George Bayley
William Bayley
James Johnson
Rev d M r Jonath
Searle
Elder Sinkler Been
" Benf Hun-
toon
Dea n John Collins
Capt John Webster
u Matthew Pettin-
gill
Esq Joseph Bean
Benj n Greely Ju r
John Chalis
Moses Sawyer
Leonard Judkins
Philip Lufkin
Joseph Meloon
Eben r Tucker
Jacob Tucker
Jonathan Forster
Benaiah Been
Edward Scribner
Benj n Scribner
Iddo Scribner
Obadiah Peters
Fifield
John Been |
Alarm List.
D r Joseph Bartlett
Ens. Andrew Bo-
honon
Ens. John W'ebster
" Moses Garland
" Stephen Call
Benj n Sanborn
Nathan Webster
Robert Barber
John Fellow's
John Jemson
Abel Tandey
John Fifield
Joseph French
Moses Elkius
John Collins Gale
Natli 1 Huntoon
Daniel Huntoon
Moses Silley
Gideon Dow
John Rowe
Philip Mitchel
Matthew Greelev
Nehemiah Heath
Ben 11 Greeley
Joseph Marston
Nath 1 Meloon
Nath 1 Meloon Jun r
Ezra Tucker
Hezekiah Forster
Edward Scribner
Andrew Bohonon
Nathan Colby
The Following; Soldiers are now in the Public Service-
Joseph Basford
John Bavley
Philip Huntoon
Sam 1 Loverein
Reuben Hoit Jun r
Jonath Huntoon
Eben r Scribner
Joseph Loverein
Simeon Sanborn
Rowel Colby
James Basford
Israel Webster
Wells Burbank
The with in is A list of the Company under my Command
Test Ebenezer Webster Cap*
[9-227] [Dr. yoseph Bartlett chosen Justice of the Peace."]
At a Legal meeting of the Freeholders and other Inhabitants
of the Town of Salisbury holden at the Meeting House in s d
town on the 24 th of May Last in the afternoon of s d Day, Dr
Joseph Bartlett was Legally Chosen for a Justice of the peace
SALISBURY. 387
in the town of Salisbury, if the Hon bl? General Court see fit to
Commission him.
Jonat n Cram T : Clerk—
Salisby June y e 14 th 1779.
[Dr. Bartlett was the first man in town who received a
commission as justice of the peace. — Ed.]
[R. 3-262] [Captain Webster's Return, 1777- ]
Sir I have sent two men acordin to order Jacob Tucker and
Nath 1 Huntoon by Name the said Tucker wants a fire arme but
it is Not in my Power to gite one for him I Hope he will make
out to git one
With Due Regards
I am sir your Humbel Serv*
Eben r Webster
Salisbury may 22 1777
To Col 1 Thomas Stickney
[R. 3-264] [Return of Men for Abatement of Poll- Tax. ~\
To the Receiver General in & for the Colony of New Hamp-
shir —
Sir this Certify to you that those persons whose names are
hereafter mentioned served in the American army last Summer
and are engaged for the Coming year in the same Service
Simeon Sanborn Colony Rate is 0—1-9-3
Jonathan Huntoon °~ I_ 9~3
John Kanade 0—1-9-3
Joseph Loverin 0-1-9-3
Single men all £0-7-3-0
Attest John Collins ) Selectmen
Leonard Judkins ) for Salisbury
[The following named men were returned to Col. Stick-
ney, in November, 178 1, to answer a call for three months*
service: "Moses Fellows, Matthew Greele, Benja Sanborn,
Elisha Shephard." (Rev. Pap., p. 75.) — Ed.]
388 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[Soldiers* Enlistment, i'/8i.']
We the subscribers whose name are Hear unto set do volin-
tarily in List our selves in to the Sarvis of the State of New
Hampshire for the term of three months from the time we Joyn
the armey unless sooner discharged and Pro mis obedience to
our offisers and to observe the Rules of the armey
Witness our Hands
Moses Fellows Matthew Greele
Benjamen Sanborn Elisha Shephard
Salisbury Sep 1 12, 17S1
[R. 3-266] [Depositions relative to jfohn As/t, 1782.]
The Deposition of Sam 1 Scribner of Salisbury of Lawful age
who Testifyeth and says that Johsi Ash living with him when
s d Deponent lived in Andover and when s d Deponent moved
into Salisbury which was about the middle of October 177^ he
the said John Ash moved with him and. lived with him the s d
Deponent in Salisbury till about the middle of March 1776 and
further Saith Not Samuel Scribner
The Deposition of John Collins Gale of Salisbury of Lawful
age who Testifyeth and Says that John Ash came to live with
him the s d Deponent in Salisbury about the 6 th of April 1776 &
lived with him the s d Deponent until about the last of August
following, and then Enlisted himself as a Soldier to go to Cohos
for a short time, and then Returned to me again and made my
House his Home untill about a fortn* before he Inlisted into the
Continental army which was some time in March 1777 and
when s d Ash left s d Deponents House s d Ash went Immediately
to Capt John Websters in Salisbury ; and further saith not
John Collins Gale
[Sworn to before Joseph Bartlett, June 19, 1782. — Ed.]
[R. 3-267] [Account for Bounties.']
State of New Hampshire Hillsborough County
To the Hon bl President of the Committee of Safety for said
State-
Be pleased to pay unto Elder Benj n Huntoon the bearer hereof,
the wages due from the State to the Town of Salisbury on Ac-
compt of the hire paid by said Town to the following persons,
which inlisted into the Continental Army in April 1777 for three
SALISBURY. 389
Years (for which each one Rec d Seventy Dollars) Viz Ephraim
Heath, Moses Fellows, John Ash, Philip Flanders, Reuben
Hoyt, Reuben Greeley, William Bayley, Philip Lufkins Benja-
min Howard, Daniel Felch, Matthew Greeley, and Joshua Snow ;
and in- August 10 th 1779 paid to George Nichols as a Bounty for
his inlisting into the Continental Army during the War, Five
Hundred Dollars of the then Current money — also the Travel
Money of four Melitia raised in 17S1 to Springfield, and the
Travel Money of one Melitia to Coos this Summer Past — and
likewise such Securities as is Customary (if any is) for what
Bounties was Voted by the Honb 1 General Court to Towns that
hired Continental Soldiers for three Years in 17S1 it being seven
that Salisbury hired ; and you will Oblige your Most Obedient
and very Humble Servants —
* Salisbury Novemb r 25 th 1782
John Collins' ~) Selectmen
Joseph Bartlett y of
_c Phinehas Bean ) Salisbury
N B Reuben Hoyt was paid by the Town Eighty-Five Dol-
lars as by the Recep ts may Appear
I Exeter Nov r 29th 17S2
I Received an Order on the Treas r to pay by Discount One
Hundred and twenty one pounds fourteen shillings and ten
pence Bounties advanced by Salisbury
Benj n Huntoon
[9~~ 2 3°] [Petition for Authority to erect a Toll- Bridge: ad-
dressed to the General Court, i/QJ^
Humbly shew the Subscribers that a bridge across merimac
river between the towns of Northfield and Salisbury near Cross'
ferry (so called) would be of great public utillity — Wherefore
your petitioners pray that the exclusive previlege of building a
bridge across said river anywhere within three miles distance
of said Cross' ferry may be granted them and such as may be
associated with them and their hiers and Assigns, and of receiv-
ing a toll for their indemnification — And that they may be
formed into a body politic and corporate for that purpose and
have leave to bring in a bill accordingly and as in duty bound
will ever pray &c —
Concord June 13 1793 —
Charles Glidden Peaslee Badger
Jonathan Eastman Eben r Eastman
390 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Jere h Clough Tho 8 Gilman
Obediah Clough David M c Crilles
Chandler Lovejoy thomas Cross
[The legislature granted the petitioners an act of incor-
poration dated Jan. II, 1794. — Ed.]
[9-231] \_Report of a Co?nmittee relative to a Bridge, 7794.]
The Subscribers being Chosen by Henry Gerrish Esq r and
Cap* Jonathan Eastman to say what Compensation the said
Gerrish shall receiv d from Charles Glidden and others for giving
unto them the privilage of building a bridge over Merrimack
River between Northfield and Salisbury near Crosses ferry
within the limits of the said Henrys Grant of a ferry — Report
that the said Charles Glidden and others proprietors of the pro-
posed Bridge provide in the most Convenient place and make a
Road Sufficient for teams 4b pass from said Bridge to the said
Henrys farm in Northfield and that they also Grant to the said
Henry his heirs and assigns living in the house now ocupied by
him and those in his and their immediate employ a right of
passing and repassing said Bridge with horses Cattle and teams
so long as the said Charles and others their heirs or assigns are
proprietors of said Bridge and if the said Charles and others do
not Comply with the above (that the publick may not Suffer
for want of a bridge there) we are of opinion that the said
Henry should oblige himself to build a Bridge there as Soon as
may be —
Exeter January 4 th 1794
A Copy
[9-231] [Petit io?i for an Incorporation of Salisbury Acade-
my : addressed to the General Court, IJQ4.~\
The Petition of the undersigned persons Humbly Shews,
That we have long experienced the want of an Institution in
this vicinity where youth may be instructed in the higher
brandies of learning ; cS: be prepared to transact the common
business of life with advantage, or to finish their educations at
a university We feel a deep conviction of the importance and
utility of a general diffusion of literature and good morals. To
facilitate the means of education is we are persuaded the most
effectual means of accomplishing this desirable object. The
dearest interests of our country are last developing upon the
SALISBURY.
391
rising generation — they will soon become citizens — and invest-
ed with all the relations of life. We regard them with a pater-
nal anxiety, and ardently wish that they may enter upon the
theatre of life with such qualifications as will do honor not only
to republicans but to human nature. We consider knowledge
as the palladium of liberty. W T e consider good morals as the
foundation of happiness public and private. With such senti-
ments we have associated for the purpose of erecting & sup-
porting an Academy by the name of the Salisbury Academy
where youth may be initiated in the arts & sciences — acquire
habits of morality and piety — and an invincible attachment to
the principles of civil & religious liberty. The design of our
association has received the approbation of a majority of our
fellow-townsmen, & we now respectfully solicit the patronage
of the Legislators of New Hampshire. Your Honors must be
sensible that the business of such an Institution cannot be
well managed without a board of Trustees. We therefore pray
your Honors for liberty to bring in a bill to constitute Hon ble
Timothy Walker & Abiel Foster Esquires, Rev. Jon a Searle,
Rev. Elias Smith & Luke Wilder a corporation by the name of
the Trustees of Salisbury Academy, & to invest the afore named
gentlemen, & their Successors with all the necessary powers of
a body corporate to carry into execution the design aforesaid of
your Petitioners —
And your Petitioners as in duty bound will ever pray —
Jonathan Searle,
Moses Garland,
Abel Elkins,
Luke Wilder,
Andrew Bowers,
Jonathan Fifield,
Elias Smith,
'Caleb Judkins,
Leonard Judkins,
John Sweatt,
JEphraim Colby,
Jacob Garland,
Moses Morse,
Israel Webster,
Nathaniel Ash,
Benjamin Pettengal
Jun r
Stephen George,
Reuben True,
James Currier,
William Eastman,
Jon a C. Pettingall,
Benj n Whittemore,
Anniah Bohonan,
Samuel Loverin,
Samuel Green leaf,
Stephen Webster,
Joseph Severens,
Joseph Adams
. Joseph Fifield
Benjamin Pettingall
Eliphalet Williams
Edward West
Jacob Bohonan Jun r
Leonard Judkins
Jun r
Levi George
Andrew Bohonan
Caleb Cushing
Abraham Sanborn
Salisbury Dec. 20 th 1794 —
[Salisbury Academy was incorporated in 1795. — Ed.]
392 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[9— 233] [Petition for Incorporation of a Toll-Bridge : ad-
dressed to the Ge?ieral Court, l8oo.~\
The petition of the Subscribers humbly shews that a Bridge
over Pemissawasset Branch at Webster's falls, so called, be-
tween the Towns of Salisbury and Sandbornton would be of
great public utility and accommodate travellers and others much
to their advantage : Your petitioners therefore pray that they
may have the exclusive Right of building and maintaining a
toll Bridge over said River at the most convenient place over
the same within one mile of said falls either above or below ;
and your petitioners as in duty bound will ever pray. —
Eben r Webster Thomas Clough Ju r Elijah Sargent
Eben r Eastman Ellison Fowler William Smith
Joseph Clark Eben r Clark
Samuel T. Gilmon Jonathan Ayers
[The foregoing petitioners were granted an act of incor-
poration the same year, and the bridge named Republican
Bridge. — Ed.]
_ -4
SANBORNTON.
The township was granted by the Masonian proprietors,
Dec. 31, 1748, to John Sanborn, of Hampton, and others.
The grantees were residents of Hampton, Exeter, and Strat-
ham, twelve of whom were named Sanborn : hence the name
of the town. Settlements were retarded by reason of trouble
with the Indians, and none were permanently made until
1764. In 1768 there were thirty-two families in town. At
a meeting held Jan. 8, 1770, a committee was appointed to
petition for an incorporation. This committee petitioned
on the first day of March following, and the town was in-
corporated by the governor and council the same day. The
town did its full share in the Revolutionary war, and in the
war for the suppression of the slave-owners' rebellion.
Sanbornton Academy was incorporated Dec. 20, 1820,
and with others established subsequently, contributed large-
ly to the prosperity of the town, and to the high standing of
its inhabitants. By an act approved June 30, 1869, the
south part of the town, formerly known as Sanbornton
Bridge, was incorporated into the present town of Tilton.
SANBORNTON. 393
July I, 1870, some territory was severed from Tilton and
annexed to Sanbornton ; and by act of July 3, 1872, a small
tract was severed from the latter and annexed to the for-
mer.
Sanbornton men in Capt. Benj. Ellis's Company, Scam-
mell's Regiment, 1781, Nathan Hoit, Fifer, and Jacob Gile.
[10— 1] \_Justice of the Peace zvantcd, 1770.']
Sandbornton Dec r 1770 to Cap* Joseph Hoit of Sfratham Si r
we whose names are underwritten desire that you would Sine
our names to a Petition to > e Governor for a Commission of the
Peace for Dan 1 Sanborn of this town
Samuel Shepard Nath 11 Tilton Samuel Smith
Charles Thomas Israel Tilton John folsom
Nathaniel burley William Hayes Isaac Colby
william tomson William Hayes Junr Jonathan Smith
Moses Danford William Durgan
[10—2] \_Petition in favor of David Sanborn, 1770.]
The Humble Petition of the inhabitants of Sandbornton
We your Excellencys humble Petitioners Labouring" under
the Disadvantage of Living at a Great Distance from a Magis-
trate & Consequently are at a Grate Expence in Gitting our
Business Done & Depending on your Excellencys Protection in
our Civil as well as Relegious Priviledges would Pray your
Excellency to Grant a Commission of the Peace to Daniel Sam-
born of this Town
your Excellencys favourable notice of our Circumstances &
Granting our Request will we humbly Concive be of Grate
Service to this Town in Saving Much time & Expence in Git-
ting our Necessary Business Done & in Preserving Peace &
unity amongst us & So of Consequence for y e Publick Good
we Remain your Excellencys Loyal Humble Petitioners
March y e 29 th 1770
John Samborn Philip Hunt Benjamin Hoit
Ebenezer Morrison Androw Roiii Samuel Shepard
thomas Lyford Daniel fifield Charles Thomas
Jacob Smith Aaron Samborn Nathanel burly
Satchel Clark Edward kelley William Thompson
Benjamin Darlin Josiah Canficld Moses Danford
394
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
tho 8 Gilmon
Nichelos Clark
Josiah Samborn
Chase taylor
Thomas Sinclear
Abijah Samborn
Enock Eley
Jonathan Thomas
John Gibson
Solomon Cops
Thomas Critchet
David Dusten Jur
Jonathan Smith
William kinston
Joseph Carr
Jacob Smith iun
Joseph Smith
Jonathan Lang
James Cate
John Gale
Ben 11 Sanborn
Cole Weeks
Nathanel Tilton
Israel Tilton
Wiliam Hayes
Wiliam Hayes Jun r
Wiliam Durgon
Samuel Smith
John Folsom
Isaac Colby
Jonathan Smith
[R. 3-297] \_Petition of Caftt. Chase Taylor : addressed to
the Assembly, 1778. J
The humble Petition of Chase Taylor of Sanborn Town in
the County of Strafford Esq r
Sheweth That on the 16 th day of August last past, Your Pet r
was Capt of a Company in Col. Stickneys Regiment at the
Engagement at Bennington.
That by a Musket Ball from the Enemy, he had his Thigh-
bone fractured, and remained utterly disabled from following
any Business from that time till about the Beginning of May
last, and his pay had ceased in the Sept r next before.
That in the said Fight he lost a very good Gun of the Value
of 20 Dollars (upon a moderate Computation) and his Cartouch
Box.
Your Pet r therefore prays Your Honours to take the premises
into Your Consideration That he may be recompenced for his
Loss of time and Expences occasioned by his said Misfortune,
and also on Account of the Loss of the said Gun &c
And Your Pet r will ever pray &c
Chase Tavlor
[He was allowed £ 16,4s, and half pay. — Ed.]
[R. 3-269] \_Petition of Tho?7ias Lyford, Soldier: addressed
to the General Court, iy8o.~\
The Humble Petition of Thomas Lyford Late of Sandbornton
Sheweth that your memorelest Engaged in the Continental
Service as a Lieu 1 in major whitcombs Corps of Rangers Octo-
ber the 14 th 1776 at ticonderoge in which Service your memo-
wr~
SANBORNTON. 395
relest has Ever vSince been Imployed and has Receive only the
Sum twenty Six dollars and two thirds of a dollar pr month
wages and ten Dollars pr month as Ration money therfore your
memorelest prays that his Case may be taken into your wise
Consideration and he be put on equal footing with other Conti-
nental officers of this State of his Ranke or grant such other
Present Releaf for the Surporting him Selfe and famerly as
you Shall Se fit and as in Duty Bound Doth pray &c Sandborn-
ton february y e i Et 17S0 —
N : B money that Shall be granted me Should be glad that
the same ma}' be Drawn by Ebenezer Smith Esq r to Convey
to my famerly as I am about to Return to the army to my
Duty-
Thomas Lyford
[R. 3-268] [Soldiers' Order, I7Q2.~\
Samborntown August 29 th 1792
To the Treasurer of the State of Ncwhampshire
Sir Pleas to Pay to John Nicholls or his order What ever is
Due to my late Son Samuel Magoon he haveing Been a Soldier
in the Ne£v Hampshire Regiment I being the ted
father and Sole heir of Said Deceased it Being for Vallue Re-
ceived Witness my Hand
his
Samuel X Magoon
mark
Attest H, B. Eastham
Daniel Kelley
[10-3] \_Solo?no?i Copps, for a Ferry, 178 1.~]
The Petition of us the subscribers select men and Inhabitants
of the Town of Gilmantown in said County Humby shews —
That Solomon Copps of sandborntown has for several Years
Last past kept a ferry over Winipisseoke River at a place Called
mohawk point and a Good Boat to accommodate Passengers
passing and Repassing from Gilmantown to sandborntown to
the satisfaction of People passing that Road and we are of opin-
ion that it is Necessary that a ferry should be Established in
that place we therefore pray that the said Copps may have a
Grant of the same by an act of the General Court so Long as
he his Heirs or assigns shall provide and Keep Good Boat or
39^
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Boats for transporting passengers and Give Good attendance
and we as in Duty Bound shall ever pray
Dated at Gilmanton afores d march y e 2 d A : D : 17S1
Joseph Badger
Samuel Greeley J-
ianj r )
Edward Gilm;
") Select men
of
Gilmantown
Joseph Huckins
Juner
Jeremiah Richardso
Moses Adams
Joseph Badger Ju r
John Judkins
Jabez James
Ebenezer Paige
W m Smith
Joseph Shepard
thomas Flanders
njeremy Cogswell
William Silley
Joseph Parsons
Antipas Gilman
Jonathan Dow
Peter Gilman
Simeon Copp
Noah Dow
Joshua Gilman
Paul Bickford •
Benjamin dow
Lemuel Rand
Nath 1 Wilson
Jacob Daniels
Charles Rundlet
[The petition was granted. — Ed]
[10-4] [Solomon Cop ps for a Ferry, 1781."]
^andbornton Feburary y e 27 th 1781 —
The Humble Petition of y e Subscribers Inhabitants of Sd
Town to y e President, Council, & House of Representatives of
this State, whereas M r Solomon Copp of this Town hath in
time Past been at great Expence in Providing & Keeping in
Repair a Boat for y e accommodation of People in Crossing y e
ferrry at y e narrows at mohawk Point So Call d , with but Little
Profit we think it Reasonable & therefore P
ray
that he
may
have y e Priviledge of Sd ferry given & Confirm* 1 to him by act
of Court there being a Road Laid out which takes in y e Land-
ing at Sd ferry —
which your Petitioners as in Duty bound Shall ever pray
Ebenezer Morroson
Aaron Sanborn
Samuel Lane
James Cate jun r
Stephen Gale
Daniel Fi field
Josiah Samborn
Saml Morrison
John thorn
John Robnson
James Cate
Dan 1 Sanborn
Nath u Tilton
Jacob Smith
Jeremiah tilton
John Clark
Jeremiah Sanborn
Jacob Garland
Ebenezer Gove
Select men of
Sandbornton
Benjamin Hoit
Benjamin Colby
Josiah miles
John Sanders
Jonathan Sanborn
Jonathan Chase
William Robinson
William Durgain
y-
Jonathan Thomas
thomas Chrichet
William Gilman
Chase Taylor
John Samborn
James Gbson
Abijah Sanborn
Jonathan Judkins
Ichabod Swain
robart Smart
Jonathan morison
Nathaniel witcher
David Blanchard
Nathaniel Burley
William burley
Hugh March
Nicolas Clark
SANBORNTON.
William Chase
Jonathan Morrison
Cole Weeks
Joseph Hoit
Jon a Taylor
Josiah Sanborn Jur
John Johnson
N — Taylor
John Lane
Jacob Smith junr
Jonathan Chase
James Sinclear
James Lary
Nathaniel Burbank
Daniel tilton
Benjam P. Canfield
William Prescut
397
Jacob Garland
Jacob Smith
Ezekiel Gilman
Joseph Clark
Elisha Prescut
Joseph Smith
Thomas Cavvley
Sam 1 morrison
David morrison
Aaron Ellsworth
Edward Kelley Junr
Edward Kelley
Theo Rundlet
Jonathan Judkins
Josiah Sanborn Junr
Ebenezer Gove
[10-8] [Petition in favor of Daniel Sanborn, 1784.]
Sanbornton April 20 th 1784 —
The Humble Petition of the Subscribers Inhabitants of sd
Town to y e President & Counsil of sd State —
whereas the new Constitution is Soon to take Place and Dan-
iel Sanborn Esq"" hath Serv d us as a Justice of y e Peace in this
Town for many y$?ars Past to our Satisfaction we Pray that he
may be Continued or appointed to Serve us in sd office in Pref-
erence to any other man in sd Town
Benaiah Sanborn
Ens n Nath 1 Chand-
ler
Dan 1 Davison
Ens n Nath 1 Grant
Levi Robinson
Josiah Shaw
Samuel Brown
Will™ Weeks
Maj r Joseph Prescott
John Gale
Benj n Robinson
Jon a Chase
Will" 1 Robinson
Will 1 " DurginJ'
Jacob Garland
Lev* Jacob Smith
Ezekiel Gilmon
Lev* Joseph Clark
Ens" Elisha Prescott John Johnson
Joseph Smith John Bryer
Thomas Calley Dan 1 Sanborn J r
Sam 1 Morrison Elisha Cate
David Morrison Moses Danforth
Samuel Prescott
Chase weeks
David Chapman
Nathan Blake
Josiah Cally
Joseph Wadleigh
James Wadleigh
Lev* Benjamin Mor- Cap* Will'" Tomson
gin
Joseph Gilmon
Joseph Grant
Elisha Smith
Solomon Copp
Will" 1 Miles
Nathan 1 Chany
Dan 1 Gale
James Fulonton
Will" 1 Hersey
Stephens Burley
Joseph Burley
Dudly Smart
398
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Aaron Elsworth
Ichabod Swain
Moses Randel
Stephen Clark
Andrew Roien
John Clark
Abijah Sanborn
Dan 1 Fifeld
Edmond Chapman
Jon a Been
Will"' Hayes
Francis. Durgin
Jon a Thompson
Simeon Cate
Jon a Cate
Nath 1 Bui-bank
Thomas Copp
Thomas Shute
Jon a Chase Jun r
Thomas Chritchet
Jon a Taylor
Josiah Hersey
James Cate Jun r
Eliphelit Brown
Moses Gilmon
Elisha Chapman
Jon a Hobbs Sanborn
Sam 1 Hunt
Jeremiah Gibson
Simeon Hains
Jacob Bamford
Solomon Copp J r
Josiah Miles
Benf Perl Canfield
Reuben Smith
Stephen Fogg
Noah Smith
John Roberson
Jonathan Smith
Daniel Tilton
Jonathan Cally .
Cap 1 Will™ Harper
Maj r Will m Prescott
John Chapman
Cole weeks
Joseph Prescott J r
Signed in 17S5 that did not in 1784.
Will™ Burley
Peter Hersey
Moses March
Moses Thompson
Mathew Thompson
James osgood
Jacob Thompson
James Cate
Bradbury Johnson
Benjamin Roberson
J r ,
Nath 1 Burley
Joseph Burley Jun r
Jacob Thomas
Edward Kelly Juri r
Edward Kelly
Theoph" Rundlet
Jon a Judkins
Josiah Sanborn J r
Lev* Eben 1 * Gove
James Gibson
Nicholas Giles
James Sanborn
Reuben Rallns
John Sanborn 3 d
Dudley Cram
Nathan Smith Benj a Smith
John Cartey Gale Nath 1 Caverly
James Fullonton J r Tme y Smith
Sam 1 Fifeld
James Sincler
and 20 that would Sine no Petition but wase willing for the:
within
[10-9]
[Ratable Polls, i/Sj.^
N° of Poles 21 years & upward
Sanbornton about 1S0
Meredith 85
Newhampton 75
17S3 Dec r E— Smith
T ""
SANBORNTON. 399
[io-ii] [More Jtistices wanted, 178 j.~]
Sandbornton Feb^ y e 2i et 17S5
we the Subscribers Recommend M r John Sanborn & Mr
John Lane for Justices ofy c Peace of this Town
Chaise Taylor S Clark William Taylor
Ebenezcr Morroson Nathan Taylor William Huse
Abra m Perkins Nich Clark John Morrison
Josiah Sanborn Josiah Emery Simeon Robinson
John thorn Thomas Lyford Jeremiah Sanborn
Benjamin Sanborn Thomas Critchet
Sam* Lane Ebn r Samborn
[10-12] [Petition for a Paper Currency, 178 j.~]
Sanbornton Oct r 24 th 17S5 —
The Petition of us y e Subscribers Inhabitants of sd Town,
Humbly Sheweth that your Petitioners with others y e Inhabi-
tants of this State, Labour under great inconveanency for want
of a Currancy or medium of trade Sufficientto transact y e Com-
mon busness between man & man & notwithstanding your Pe-
titioners <£ we Concive that others in General are Desireous to
Discharge all our Debts with y e Strictest Honour, the Payment
of which, as also y c Common trading one with another, is Ren-
dered next to Impossable, by Reason ofy e Scarcely of money,
— and People of all Ranks, & Conditions, are Sue d & meney
Put into Prison all of which tends to Impoverish Individuals, &
Consequently fy e State in General ; — we therefore Prav that
your Honours would as Soon as Possable make a Sum or Bank
of Paper money Sufficient to answer all Debts or Demands in
this State or for a medium of trade, & that Sd Paper money,
may be made a tender in all Cases — and your Petitioners as in
Duty bound Shall ever Pray.
will m Chase 1
James Hersev > Select men
Nat 1 Grant * )
Dan 1 Sanborn Ichabod Swain Noah Smith
Josiah Miles Solomon Copp Edward Kelley
Jon a Hobbs San- Tho* Critchet Joseph Prescott
born Elisha Prescott Dan' Gale
Joseph Smith Jun r Nath 1 Chaney David Chapman
James Sanborn Cole weeks Jotham Rallins
Ahijah Sanborn Chase weeks Josiah Shaw
Jon a Ch;ise Jun r will 1 " weeks will" 1 Tomson
John Chapman Daniel Sanborn J r Sam 1 Prescott Jun r
400
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
James Cate
will™ Prescott
Reuben Smith
Moses Rendal
Dan 1 Davison
Sam 1 Prescott
James Gibson
Lovel Lang
will m Prescott Jun 1
Humphery Hunt
Jon a Been
Jon a Smith
Dan 1 Tilton
Jon a Thomas
Peter Hersey
Dan 1 Fifeld
Eben r Colby
True worthy Smith
Benaiah Sanborn
John Sanborn 3 d
James Cate Jun r
[10-10]
Sanbornton Oct r 24 th 1 7S5
I have no Doubt But if y e Petition for Paper money from this
Town was Carry* to all y e men in it there would be one hun-
dred & fifty Signers for y e Same —
Dan 1 Sanborn
[For legislative action on the matter, see Atkinson pa-
pers, Vol. XL— Ed.]
[10-15] [Petition for a Change of Day of Annual Meeting:
addressed to the General Court, IJQ4.~\
This petition Humbly Sheweth —
that by the Charter of Sanbornton the Inhabitants are to hold
their Meeting for the Choice of Town officers on the hist Tues-
day of March annually to the ill-conveniance of the freeholders
& whereas it is commonly bad traviling at that time So that
many of the Inhabitants Cannot attend Said Meeting and there-
by are excluded from giving their Votes for State and town
officers, and whereas it Sometimes happens that the Inhabitants
Cannot finish their Businees in one day but are under the neses-
sity of adjourning to Some future day which must ofen be in
the Month of April, and thereby the Selectmen Cannot take the
Inventory in Season to the damage of Said town, — Therefore
at a Leagal meeting Unanimously Voted that the Select-men
Shall Prefer a petition to the Honnourable General Court Pray-
ing that their Anual Meeting might be Earlycr in Said month,
Wherefore we the Subscribers beg leave to Present this petition
Praying your Honnors that the Said Meeting now held on the
Last tuesday of March as by Said Charter, might in future be
held on the Second Tuesday of Said month and we your Hum-
ble Petitioners as in Duty Bound Shall Ever Pray —
Josiah Emery ^ Select-men in behalf
Moses Tomson >■ of the Inhabitants
W m Chase \ of Sanbornton
[This petition was granted. — Ed.]
SANBORNTON.
40I
f 10-16] \_Tilto?i Bennett, for a Ferry over Pemigewasset
River, 1798.']
To the honourable the General Court of the state of New
Hampshire to convene at Concord on the third Wednesday of
November instant — Humbly shew
Your Petitioners, inhabitants of the town of Sanbornton that
Tilton Bennet of said town has attended a ferry over Pemige-
wasset River between Sanbornton and New-Chester for four
years last past and has been at great expence to provide and
keep in repair suitable boats for said ferry, wherefore your pe-
titioners humbly pray your honors would grant said ferry to
him, and as in duty bound will ever pray —
November 2 d 1798 —
Jonathan Weeks
Nathan Blake
Nath 11 Ladd
Jonathan Thomson
Moses Tomson
W m Hayes
John Clark
Lowell Lang
W m Weeks
Nathaniel Piper
Chase Weeks
Charles thomas
Cole Weeks J r
Benjamin Rollins
Edmund Chapman
David Perley 3
John Shaw
Thomas Morison
Josiah Shaw ir
Joseph Chapman
James Chapman
John Adams Harper Daniel Johnson
-th
W ra Taylor
John Sandborn
Nathan Smith
Moses Leavitt
Josiah Sanborn y
Jacob Tilton
Lyford Dow
Stephen Prescott
Nathaniel Caverey
Joseph Gale
Joshua Bangs
Joseph Conner
Ezekiel Brown
David Robinson
Moses Colby
Jotham Rawlings
Henry Blake
Ebenezer Swain
Josiah Heath
Moses Page
Tilton Bennet J r
Anthony Colby
[A grant of a ferry was made to said Bennett the same
session. — Ed.]
[10-18]
Humbly shews
Tilton Bennet of Sanbornton that he has attended a ferry
over Pemigewasset River between Sanbornton and New Ches-
ter for four years last past, and has been at great expence to
provide suitable Boats for said ferry — wherefore your petitioner
humbly prays your honors would grant said ferry to him, and
as in duty bound will ever pray —
November 2 d 179S Tilton Bennet
28
402 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[10-17] \_Pctitiojz for Incorporation of a Library: ad-
dressed to the General Court, I'/gy.']
The Petition of the subscriber in behalf of the proprietors of
the Social Library society in Sanborntown Humbly sheweth
That said society have been at considerable Expence in pur-
chasing a Collection of Books for the purpose of defusing use-
ful knowledge amongst them, but find themselves under many
disadvantages for want of being Incorporated — They therefore
pray your Honors to pass an Act Incorporating them into a
body politick for the purpose of regularly ordering said society
under such rules and regulations as to your Honors may appear
Just & reasonable and Your Petitioner as in duty bound will
ever pray
William Harper
[This petition was granted, and the library incorporated
the same year. — Ed.]
[10-19] [Petition for the Incorporation of Sanbornto?i "Mu-
sical Society: addressed to the Getter al Court, i/QQ .]
Humbly shew,
The Subscribers, inhabitants of the town of Sandbornton,
that they have formed themselves into a society for the promo-
tion of vocal and instrumental musick ; and that they have been
at considerable expence to procure books, instruments, and
able instructors, to teach the arts of singing and performing on
instruments. — Your petitioners therefore humbly pray, that
they, together with their associates, and all such as may here-
after become members of the said society, may be incorporated
into a body politic, by the name of " Sandbornton Musical So-
ciety," and that they may be vested with all the powers and
privileges incident to corporations of a similar nature: —
And your petitioners as in duty bound will ever pray.
Joseph Woodman Jeremiah Tilton
Samuel Lane Andrew Lovejoy
Nathan Taylor Jeremiah Sanborn Jun r
Samuel Gerrish Stephen Goodhue
Joshua Lane
[In H. of Rep., Dec. 25, 1799, leave was granted to bring
in a bill. — Ed.]
T*
SANBORNTON.
403
[10-20] [Petition for the Incorporation of the Baptist As-
sociation: addressed to the General Court, fune, i802.~]
We the Subscribers, inhabitants of the Town of Sanborn-
town, Humbly Shew — That we have formed ourselves into a
Society for the purpose of worshiping God agreeably to the dic-
tates of our own consciences; that we have been at consider-
able expence to erect a decent House for public worship ; and
for the support of the Gospel among us; and that v.c labour
under many disadvantages by not being incorporated, and being
denied the privileges of incorporated parishes — Wherefore we
humbly pray, that an act of incorporation maybe granted unto
us, and such others as may hereafter associate with us, by the
name of the Sanbornton Baptist association, and that such
rights, privileges and immunities may be granted and secured
unto us, our associates and successors, as others in similar
cases have heretofore received : And we as in duty bound will
ever pray —
Sanbornton March 31 st 1802
David Burley Jun r
Peter Hersey
Samuel Hersey
Thomas Colman
Jonathan Taylor
Jun r
Coffin Sanborn Jun r
John Prescott
Daniel Gove
Joseph II Sanborn
Levi Sanborn
Benj a Robinson
James Robinson
Benj a Robinson J r
Josiah Hersey
Samuel Hunt
Coffin Sanborn
Abner Sanborn
Jon* Chase
Mark Chase
Winthrop Diirgin
Taylor Clark
Elijah Durgin
Thomas Copp
Dudley Cram
Timothy Smith J r
Daniel Tucker
John W Hunt
William Hersey
Jacob March
Eben r Morrison J r
William Durgin
Thomas Cawley
William Chase
Nicholas Giles
James Chase
Ed Taylor
Josiah Sanborn 4 th
Joseph Prescott 3 a
Jonathan Taylor
Jonathan Webster
William Rundlet
Benj 11 Calley
Cole Weeks
Joseph Chapman
Nathaniel Caverly
Jacob Hun kins
Chase Sanborn
Henry Blake
Charles Thomas
William Eaton
Reuben Eaton
William Eaton J r
Isarael Beckman
Winthrop Durgan J r
David Morrison
W m Hersey J r
Benj a Railings
Josiah Blake
Joseph Weeks
Elisha Lougee
James Chapman
Edmund Rundlet
Thomas Morrison
John Morrison J r
John Dearborn
Simeon Cass
Reuben Rundlett
W T illiam Calley
Thomas Eastman
John Taylor
Christopher Sanborr
John Clark 3
Nath 1 Hart
George Whitcher
Robert Steele
Jeremiah Graves
Winthrop True
John Sanders
Jonathan Lang
Jonathan Calley
4O4 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Samuel Connor Jonathan Weeks Harper Quimby
Moses Hunt Lyford Dow Samuel Elsworth
David Clark Jeremiah Smith Samuel Chapman
John Durgin Joseph Colby Benj a Steele
Jonathan Thompson W m Weeks Josiah George
Thomas Morse David Morrison J r Daniel Gale
Jacob Thompson John Shaw Chase Osgood
W m Dyer Chase Weeks
Abraham Darling John Chapman
.[ Vote of Town relative to the foregoing*~\
At the annual meeting of the legal voters of the Town of
Sandbornton held March 8 th 1S03
Voted That Coffin Sanborn & others may be incorporated as
a Baptist Society in said Town and that Capt. Samuel Prescutt
forward said vote to the Gen 1 Court —
A true Copy of Record
Attest Joshua Lane Town Clerk
Sandbornton 8 th March 1S03 —
The undersigners hereby Certify that they have been Suffi-
ciently Served with a Coppy of the Petition of Coffin Samborn
and others praying for an Incorporation as a Baptist Society in
this Town before the Hon. the General Court at the last Ses-
sion, and the order of Court thereon agreeable to said order of
Court —
Bradstreet Moody ) ,
t i.u r^i / Select men
Jonathan Chase )
[The Baptist Association was incorporated in 1803. —
Ed.]
S A N D O W N .
The territory in this town was formerly in Kingston,
from which it was severed by the governor and council,
April 6, 1756, and incorporated as a separate town by its
present name. This was done in answer to a petition from
the inhabitants of the " Westerly end of the said Kings-
town," and Col. Ebenezer Stevens was appointed to call the
first meeting of the inhabitants.
By the return of the selectmen, made in September, 1775,
SANDOWN.
405
it appears that the town had a population of 635, of whom
34 were in the army. In 1786 it had a population of 521.
I cannot find any record of the addition of any territory
to the town, or that any has been severed since its incorpo-
ration.
Sandown men in First N. H. Regiment.
Thomas Fuller enlisted April 3, 1777 ; discharged Decem-
ber, 1 78 1.
Israel Ingalls enlisted January 27, 1777 ; discharged Jan-
uary 21, 1780.
i
[10—22] [Relative to the Election of Representative: ad-
dressed to the General Assembly, 1776.^
The Petition of the Inhabitants of Hawke & Sandown Hum-
bly Seweth that where as the Legality of our meeting to Chuse
a man to Represent us in Congress last December was disputed
for which reason we have not been Represented and being
Sensible of the priveledge pray for a New Precept to im power
us to elect a proper person to represent us in the General As-
sembly — and your Petitioners as in duty bound shall ever pray
Caleb Towle
Henry Morrill
William Buswell
Jonathan French
Josiah Tuxbury
Jonathan French
Junr
Tho s Stow Ranney
Jerema Towle
James Towle
Jon n Clough
Hezekiah Blake
Jabez Eaton
Ezra Jones
James Lowell
Henry Elkins
Samuel March
Samuel Quimby
John Sanborn
Abraham Darling
Richard Nason
David Tilton
Jethro Sanborn
Henry Darborn
Nathan Jones
Nathan Jones Junr
Isac Flanders
Josiah Batchelder
Joshua George
Moses GrifTen
Jonathan Whiteaker David Sargant
John Collins
Joshua Herman
Peter Griffen
Zephotous Griffen
Samuel Sevens
Richard Griffen
Joseph Tilton
John Tilton
Benjamin wells
william Rowell
Timothy fellows
Thomas Griffen
Samuel Gedkins
Moses Heath
Asa Heath
Samuel wiatt
Nathan Hunt
Benjamin Shaw
Samuel Plumer
Thomas Cotton
Daniel Kelley
Joseph Clifford San- Samuel Harsey
born Robart Collins
Sargant wells
Jacob wells
Timothy wells
Phinacs Bachelder
John Perver
Benjamun Colby
William Ferrin
John Straw
Benjamin Flanders
Jonathan Huse
orland Colbey
Nathaniel Ingals
David Bennet
David Straw
Jon a Straw
406 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Eliphalet Hoite Samuel Dannels Zebedia watson
Joseph Williams Benjamin Hunkens Nathaniel Busvvell
George Bartlett Stephen Longe Nathaniel Buswell J u
Jedediah Philbrick Nathaniel French Samuel Beean
Thomas Chelles Timothy Tilton william Beean
Samuel Fellows Jethro Sanborn James Trussell
Peter Elkins David Sleeper David Moulton
Ann'is Campbell David Tilton Samuel Ingals
Nathaniel Brown Moses Sanborn Sharbon Sanborn
Nehemiah Sleeper Samuel Sleeper olever Sm Blake
The above Names is a true Coppey of the Petitioners taken
of by us —
Reuben Clou^n") ,,
ft the
■V O 1
Moses Colbev ,
David Quinby I
Rpiibon Trnp l
Reuben True
moses Hook
Ela Dow
Sandown June 4 th 1776
Read and voted to be granted June 5, 1776.
Selectmen
of Hawke
and
Sandown
[10-23] \_Return of Ratable Polls, iy8j.~\
State of New Hampshire
To the Council and House of Representatives at Concord
Assembled convened —
According to the Reques from the assembly of this State to
make out a just account of all pols paying a pole tax for them
selves we have taken the Number of all the pols paying a pole
tax for them selves in the Parish of Sandown, and find they
amount to the Number of one Hundred and three —
From yours to Seirve —
Ezra French \ Select men
Alpheus Farrar j of Sandown
Novr 27 th 17S3
[Sworn to before Reuben Clough, justice of the peace.]
[10-24] [Relative to the Line between Sandown and Ches-
ter : addressed to the Assembly, iy8j.~\
Sirs—
As the Line between Chester and Sandown was Not Settled
when we took the proportion Last Spring we took the Land to
whare the Bounds .of the Lots Layd out by Kingstown we Now
SANDOWN. 4O7
having settled the Line between the towns to be a Straight Line
it cuts of Seventy two acres of Land and two heads and one
house and a barn into Chester the Land supposed to be about
twenty acres planting and moing and about twenty acres pas-
tring and one acer and a half of orchard Land and thirty acers
of unimproved Land £28 Value Buildings prisd at 6 pounds
our prayers is that the above Heads Land and Buildings may
be taken out of Sandown proportion as the above heads Land
and Buildings are taken in to Chester proportion —
From your most obedient and Humble Sarvants
Ezra French | Select men
Alpheus Farrar } of Sandown
Dec m 4 th 1783
[10-25] [Relative to Militia Affairs : addressed to the Gen-
eral Assembly, I78j.~\
The Petition of the Subscribers freeholders and Inhabitants
of Sandown in said State Humbly Shew that in the Late Devi-
sion of the Seventh Regiment of melitia in this State, we are
Informed that Sandown is Joyned to the Southwesterly Devi-
sion thereof that Sandowm is the westerly Parish in the original
Township of Kingstown and by being a Parish are naturally
Connected with the other parts of said Town — That before the
Revolution wee met with the other parts of said Town for
Chusing Representatives and are now Connected with Hawke —
another Parish in said Town for the same purpose — by which
means our acquaintance & Connections with the other parts of
said Town are greater than with the other Devision to which
we are now Joyned
We therefore pray that your Honours would be pleased' to
Disannex us from the Southwesterlv Regiment and Annex us
to the other Regiment to which the other parts of said Town
belong — and vour Petitioners as in Duty bound will ever Pray
&c—
John Sanborn Moses Hook Jona th Straw
Moses Sanborn Ezekiel Eaton Banj a Williams
Stephen Long Robert Collins Josiah morse
Richard Long Daniel Sleeper J onn Pervere
John Perkens Sherburne Sanborn Jonathen pervere
Samuel Randall Tim y Tilton Samuel Flanders
Abraham Hook Will' 11 Rovvell Benj a Flanders
Samuel Sanborn David Sleeper Ephraim Flanders
Ebenezer Long Samuel Sleeper Benjamin Colby
John Sleeper Jonathan C Sanborn John Colbey
408 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Samuel Sleeper Junrlaac Tilton Ela Dow
Josiah Derbou Benjamin Gilfling Nath 11 Ingalls
Nathll French Alphs Farrar Peter Ingalls
Phinehas Whitter David fuller Jonathan huse
N Wells Benj a Hunkins Spencer Bennett
Benjamin Taylor Isaac Hunkins Joshua Palmer
Peter Taylour Eben Auls Jonathan Clough
Joseph Tilton Asa Heath John Colby
Daniel Davis William ferren peter CoLBey
[10-26] [Petition relative to Paper Currency, etc. : ad-
dressed to the General Court, ij86.~\
Humbly shew the Subscribers and Inhabitants of the town of
Sandown in the County of Rockingham in said .State —
That Your petitioners Labour under many and very Great
Difficulties on Account of the great Scarcity of a circulating
medium of trade also great Uneasiness has Arisen in ye minds
of ye petitioners and many Others, on Account of a Claim
Lately made to the Uncultivated Lands within this state and as
your Honours are the Guardians of the Rights and priviledges
of the people and as we have no Other Regular way of redress
than by Applying to you therefore — we humbly request that
your Honours would take our Case under your wise Consid-
eration and Grant Us releaf Acting on the following particu-
lars —
i 8t ly That you would not allow those persons purchersers
of the Allen Claims so called any part of their Claim within
this State—
2 d ly That not any of those persons that are purchersers of
said Aliens Claim hold any Commission of profit or honour
within this state for the space of one year —
3 d ly That the General Court take Up the matter Respecting
Masonan title to certain Land in this State which we think their
title is not good and that those Lands Claimed by them be Con-
verted to the Use of the State —
4 th ly that thare might be a Bank of paper money made to
redeem this State Security
5 th ly that the General Court petition Congress to redeem the
Continental paper Currency that is in the treasury in this State
the same being more than our proportion of the Same —
6 th ly that the ports and harbours in this State be opend and
free trade for all Except the Refugees
Sandown June i 8t 17S6
SANDOWN.
409
/
Benjamin Flanders
John Cheney
John Tucker
Jacob Tucker
Peter Colby
John Colby
Charles Pressey
Jonathan Huse
Nathan Smith
Thomas Hoit
Nath 11 Ingalls
Peter Ingalls
Benjamin wells
Timothy wells
moses heath
moses hath Juner
Thomas Sherwell
theophilus Grifen
Ezekiel Eaton
Spencer Bennet
Ezra french
Asa Heath
otho Stevens
Alpheus Farrar
Sargent Wells
Robert Chase
Samuel Davis
Benjamin Williams
david Sargent
Richard Long
John Chase
Jonathan Clough
Ela Dow
William ferren
Rowel Straw
Phinehas Batchelder
Edmund Buswell
Peter Sanborn
John Pervere
thomas Grifen
Benjamin Shaw
John Collins
thomas fallows
Ichobod Shaw
Thomas Cotton
Kelley Plummer
Thomas Shaw
Thomas Edmonds
Benjamin Shaw jun
Humphy Clough
Moses grifen
James Eaton
Reuben Clement
Robert Collings
Samuel daniels
Currier Fitts
moses George
Isaac Tilton
Abraham Hook
Jonathan C Sanborn
Samuel Sanborn
Henry Page
Joseph Tilton
Tim y Tilton
William Rowel
John Sleeper
Nath 1 Wells
John Sanborn
Stephen Long
David
Jethro Sleeper
Josiah morse
Edmund James Jun r
Benj a Hunkins
John Hearsee
Daniel Kelley
Richard Fitts
Joshua George
Joshua Palmer
John Colby
[For legislative action, see Vol. XI, p. 130. — Ed.]
[10—27] [Petition from one of the Exeter Insurge7its : ad"
dressed to the Ge?ieral Court, 1796. ~]
Humbly shews, David Sargent Jun r of Sandown that in the
year 17S6 belonging to the company of Militia in said Town and
being young and quite ignorant respecting public afiairs, he by
the request of the Officers and the example of many others of
said Company was induced to join the party who went to Exeter
as they said to seek for a redress of grievances — that your peti-
tioner was one of those who were made prisoners and was then
and there disarmed of a valuable firelock, which he is sensible
was justly forfeited, but humbly prays that your Honours would
consider him as an unexperienced youth at that time as he really
was, and give order that he may receive said Firelock again,
and as in duty bound shall pray — David Sargent
Concord Dec r
1796
[The petition was dismissed. — Ed.]
4IO EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[R. 3-299] [Petition of John Colby, Soldier.']
Province of New Hampshire
I the subscriber namely John Colby of Sandown in said Prov-
ince Inlisted as a privit Soldier und r Coll Bayly the first year
he went into the war and was taken by the Indians by Col
Hinsdels fort and was Carried to Montrial and when that was
taken I was Delivered out of Captivity and came horn Last
October; and I never received any wages my self nor never
gave any order to any person to draw any part of my wages
John Colby
May 4 : 1761 :
[Sworn before Daniel Little.]
[Said Colby appointed Jacob Bayley, of Hampstead, as
his attorney (R. 3-300), in which he called himself as 4W Late
of Newton, yeoman." Said Bayley petitioned in Colby's
.behalf [R. 3-301), April 16, 1761, stating that Colby enlisted
in 1755, was taken prisoner in July, the same year, and re-
mained in captivity until Gen. Amherst captured Montreal
in September, 1760. For particulars relative to Colby's
capture, see Vol. VI, p. 412. — Ed.]
SANDWICH
The township was granted Oct. 25, 1763, to Samuel Gil-
man, Jr., and others, in seventy-two shares ; and purported
to contain six miles square of territory. The grantees caused
the same to be surveyed, and finding the " Northerly &
Westerly sides thereof, so loaded with inaccessable Moun-
tains & Shelves of Rocks that it is uninhabitable," they pe-
titioned for an additional grant of land lying south and east
of the first grant. The petition met a favorable reception,
and an additional tract was granted, Sept. 5, 1764, and called
Sandwich Addition, with the following bounds : " Beginning
at the south westerly corner of the aforesaid tract of land
granted by the name of Sandwich, & from thence runs south
one mile until it comes to (or upon a line with) the northerly
side line of a tract of land called Palmers-town, or New
SANDWICH.
411
Salem in that case to stop in a shorter measure ; then run-
ning east between the aforesaid tract called Sandwich &
the said Palmers-town eight miles ; then turning off & run-
ning north seven miles ; then turning off again at right
angles & runs west two miles, to the north easterly corner
of the aforesaid tract called Sandwich."
By an act passed Feb. 22, 1785, a committee were ap-
pointed to fix the lines between this town, Tamworth, and
Moultonborough, their report to be final and conclusive.
December 23, 1808, an act was passed appointing William
Webster, Noah Robinson, and Abraham Burnham "to es-
tablish the jurisdictional lines between the towns of Sand-
wich, Tamworth, Eaton, and Burton" (Albany). This com-
mittee reported against making any change in the existing
lines, and their report was adopted.
£10-28] [Sandwich and J\Ioultonborotigh Inventories, 1773 .]
•1
The Inventory of the Pools &
tonburough are as followeth Viz-
Moultonborough
Poolls
Slaves
orchard
Arable land
Mow land
Pasture land
horses
Mares
Colts
Oxen
Cows
three years old 12
two years old 24
Yearlins 15
Mills c
Wharves c
ferries o
Money
Stock in trade
Estats of Sandwich & Moul-
44
o
o
52 Acres
100 Acres
60 Acres
2
2
1 three years old
20
55
Sandwich
Polls
Slaves
orchard
Arable land
Mowing land
Pasture land
Horses
Mares
Colts
oxen
Cows
three years old
Two years old
Yearlins
Mills
Wharves
ferries
Money &c
Stock in trade
33
o
o
76 acers
117 acers
80 acers
2
1
o
18
45
4
27
9
o
o
o
200
o
LM
The above is a true Inventory of the Polls & Estates in Sand-
wich & Moultonborough taken by us the Subscribers in the
412 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Month of april 1773 in pursuance of an act of Court for that
purpose pass d Janr y 14 th 1773
Dan 11 Beede ) Select Men
Bagley Weed j of Sandwich
Sandwich ap 1 30 th 1773 —
[Sworn to before H. Wentworth, Justice of the Peace.]
[R. 3-298] [Relative to Moses Page, Soldier, 1778.2
The Petition of the Selectmen of Sandwich in said State
Humbly sheweth that Moses Page Son of Jonathan Page of
Sandwich Came to his fathers house at Sandwich Jan y 15 th 1777
where he abode till the 10 th of april and him the said Moses
hath not been an Inhabatant of any other town or Parish from
march 1776 at which time him the s d moses Enlisted into the
Continental Service & there Remained till Dis Charged then
Came to his fathers house at Sandwich as his only home &
there had his name Entered in the Melisha List and Rate List
and the tenth of april 1777 the s d town of Sandwich hired him
the s d Moses at full price to Enlist Into the Continental army
and Serve a turn for a man of Sandwiches quoto of the Conta-
nental army Accordingly he Enlisted & passed muster for the
town of Sandwich — Notwith Standing we have heard that Ep-
ping have Returned him as one of their men which if so we
pray your Honours hearing thereon & we make no dout but we
Shall make fully to apear our Rightfull property to the Benefit
of him the s d Moses —
Nathaniel Ethridg") Selectmen
Josiah Bean > of
nemiah cram ) Sandwich
Sandwich March 31 st 177S
State of Newhamp 1 "
Sandwich march 31 st 177S
We hereby appoint mr Jonathan Page of Sandwich to pre-
sent and prosecute the above Petition to Effect
[10-29] [Pctitio?? to have Toivn-Mecti?igs legalized : ad-
dressed to the Council and Assembly, Dec. 23, 1780.]
The Petition of the Select Men of Sandwich in s d State hum-
bly sheweth that the Inhabitancc of said Sandwich have ever
from their first holding town meetings in said Sandwich for the
Choosing the. town officers for said town held their Annual
SANDWICH. 413
Meetings for the Choice of Town officers on the Last Monday
of March whereas the Day appointed by the Charter of said
town to Hold their annual meeting is the Seccond Tuesday of
March annually which makes it doubtfull wheither their officers
are Legally apointed if not they have no Legal authority to col-
lect taxes &c —
Wherefore we pray that your Honours Would Make an act
or Resolve as in your Wisdom you see Good to Make Good &
Valued in Law the appointment of the s d town officers & other
Publick transactions of said Town of Sandwich as fully as if
their annual Meetings had been held on the Day appointed by
said Charter —
And your Petitioners as in duty bound shall ever pray
Daniel Beede ~) Select Men
Ezekiel french > of
John Present ) Sandwich
[The proceedings at all prior meetings were legalized by
the legislature, June, 1781. — Ed.]
[10-30] [Relative to an alleged illegal Election, iYy6.~\
To the Hon ble the Counsel and Assembly of the State of New
Hampshire —
The Petition Memmorial & Remonstrance of the Inhaban-
tance of Sandwich in s (1 State in Legal Meeting Convert hum-
bly sheweth that whereas Jonathan Moulton Esq is said to be
Elected to Represent MoultonBorough Sandwich & tamworth
in s d State in the above Named Assembly we think ought not
to be admitted and pray he the Jonathan Moulton Esq May not
be admitted there unto for the following Reasons —
First because him the s d Jon a Moulton Esq does not Reside
within the Precinct nor County of the Electors
2 d ly That on the meeting Day in the which the said Jonathan
Moulton Esq was said to be Chosen and the dav before & sum
Days in the week before the s d Jonathan Moulton Esq or his
friends at Moultonbour 11 did make Entertainments at which both
Victuals & Liquers ware distributed plentifully to a great Num-
ber of Electors with an apparent View (as we Conceive) of
gaining their Votes
3 d ly your Petitioners humbly conceive that the said Jonathan
Moulton Esq was not Choosen by the Majority of the Legal
votes as the Ballet brought in to Meeting was but two the Ma-
jority for the s d Jonathan Moulton Esq whereas more than that
414 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Number brought in ballet for the s d Jonathan Moulton Esq
which had no Pretention to any Right to vote in s d Meeting
Furthermore dureing the time of the said Entertainment the
friends of the said Jon a Moulton Esq were disperced through
Moultonberough Sandwich & Tamworth & brought in Votes
from them that would not attend the Meeting a Small Majority
of which were for the said Jonathan Moulton Esq and a nomber
of which votes that were brought in for the said Jonathan Moul-
ton Esq the men whose names were subscribed there unto deny
that Ever Sign d assented or Consented thereunto and the Mod-
erator of the s d Election Meeting being a Peculiar friend to the
said Moulton Declar d the Meeting to be Desolved before we
had an oppertunity of Examining into the Case All which doth
appear to us fraudilent & Destructive to the good Government
of a free People Wherefore we Rely on Your Honours Wisdom
& Power to Interpose all such unjust measures and we as in
Duty bound shall ever Pray —
At. a Town meeting held at Sandwich Decemb r 16 th 1776 Le-
gally Notified by the Select men for the same Purpose Voted
Uannimusly that the foregoing Petition Memmorial & Remon-
strance be Presented to the Councel & assembly with the Select
mens —
Return on the Precept &c —
Test Daniel Beede Town Ok
[The election of Mr. Moulton was set aside, and a precept
sent for a new election. — Ed.]
[10-31] \_Taxes on Exeter Academy La?tds.~\
A List of Taxes on the lands belonging to the Exeter Acade-
my in Sandwich for the year 17S1 & 17S2 State & War Taxes
Taxes
1781
1781
1782 1781 [1782]
The Right of
NEm
Silver
Silver N Em
Moses Thurston
s. d.
£ 5,10
s. d.
10, 33
£1,11,3 £1, 2,8
Clem* Moody
5. 9
9, 8
19,— 16 —
Nehemiah Cram
6, 3
io,ioJ
i, 5'3 J > i>—
Enoch Clark
6, 9
11, 5*
1, 6,10 1, 2,4
Edward Bean
6, 4
10, 3t
i, 5-3 *> !'
Tho' Reynolds
7> 6
i2, oi
1,10,— 1, 5,
Benj" Batcheldor
6,-
10, 3
1, 6,5 i, 1,—
Ovven Reynolds
5> 9
9, 6
1, 3,4 i8,S
T"
Benj* Atkinson
Jos Atkinson
SANDWICH.
41.
6, 6 II, ij
6, — io, i
i, 6,o
ii 4 —
i, i,8
I, o,-
3' 2 > 8 5» 6 > 5 12,17,4 10, 9,4
5> 6 ^5 3» 2 > 8
£18, 3, 9 £i3,i2,—
New Emission £13,12.
Silver £18,3,9
Copv from Sandwich Lists
Attest
Tho s Odiorne
Rec r Non Resident taxes
[10-32] [Petition for an issue of Paper Money : addressed
to the Assembly, if86.~]
The Petition of us the Subscribers Being Inhabitants of the
Town of Sandwich in S d State — most Humbly Sheweth that
your Petitioners With Inhabitants of Said State Labours under
Great Inconvenience for want of a Currancy or Medium Suffi-
cient to transact the Common Business Between Man and Man
and more Especially for the Payment of Public Taxes Within
this State — and as the State is Grately in Debt and have Issued
their State Notes to a Large amount — the Intrest of which they
are annualy Taxed as well as for Part of the Principle and
Whereas the State is also Called upon and taxed for a Very
Large Sum for the Payment of Intrest on Continental Lone
Office Certificates Issued in this State the payment of all which
is Rendred Next to an Impossibility by the Scarsity of money
— Notwithstanding your Petitioners are Desirous to Discharge
their Public Debts with the Strictest Honour and Integrity that
the Nature of things will admit of — Your Petitioners therefore
pray your Excellency and Honours would Immedately make
and Issue a Sum or Bank of Paper money Sufficient to pay off
and Discharge all Such State and Continental Lone office Cer-
tificates Issued in this as aforesaid and that Said paper money
might Be made a Tender in all Past or futer taxes — and ansure
in all payments in the Publick Treasury and in all payments on
Private Contracts Whatsoever — Otherwise Relive Your Peti-
tioners as your Excellency and Honours in Wisdom Sail Seem
meet — and your Petitioners as in Duty Bound Shall Ever Pray
&c
Samuel Winslow Jr Thomas Burley Thomas Colby
Benj ft Kimball Eliphalet Marefield John Glidden
4i6
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Benjamin Burley
Sargent Kimball
Elias Ladd
Jacob Smith
Elip' Smith
Reuben Moulton
Isreal Gilman
John Brown
Stephen Webster
John Ladd
Jethro Sanborn
Jona. Gilman
moses senter
Samuel Burley
Jeremiah Burpee
Joseph Hoyt
Nathaniel Ethridge
Stephen Ethridge
Edward wells
Elisha Mudget
Caleb Gilman
Simeon Smith Jr
Simeon Smith
Dominicus Prescut
Josiah Burley
Daniel Moulton
Thomas Burley
Benjamin Adkinson
Benjamin Blanchard
Joseph Quenbe
moses Brewer
John Beede
Edward Smith
Bagly Weed
Nehemiah Cram
Jonathan webster
Joseph thresher
John Jewell
David Bean
Jacob Weed
Bradbury Prescutt
[10-33] \_JRefatwe t° disputed line between Sandwich and
\Tamworth : addressed to the Assembly, Nov. ij, 7782. ,]
Humbly Shews Nathaniel Folsom, Nicholas Gilman & Sam 1
Folsom Esq" a Committee for and in behalf of themselves and
other Proprietors of the Township of Sandwich in the County
of Strafford
That for a Long time past there has been Pending in the Su-
perior Court of Judicature within this State Sundry Actions
between the Proprietors of Said Sandwich and Sundry Persons
Settled in the right of the Township of Tarn worth, which Ac-
tions have been Prosecuted by Said Proprietors of Sandwich at
a very Great Expence & trouble, and must be at much more —
That by Interest of Some of the Justices of Said Court, and
by other motives in Some others, Your Petitioners are in fear
that they Shall never Obtain a Decicive Trial in those Cases
Unless Your honours will in Justice 8c Equity Appoint and
Commissionate Two, three, or four Special Justices to Sit in
Said Court, and Adjudge those Causes, — wherein the Said
Standing Justices are by Interest, or any other way Concerned
or Disqualified to Judge thereof — Your Petitioners Therefore
Humbly pray Your honours to Appoint a Sufficient Number
of Special Justices to make a Quorum with one of the Standing
Justices of Said Court to hear and Determine the Said Causes
and any other in the Like Circumstances. That the Appoint-
ment may be of Such Gentlemen as are Disinterested in Either
of the Said Townships of Sandwich & Tamworth, And Your
Petitioners Shall Ever pray &c —
Nath" Folsom
Sam 1 Folsom
[See introduction. — Ed.]
SANDWICH. 417
[10-34] [Return of Ratable Polls, l/8j.~\
State of Newhampshire & County of Straford —
A Return of the Just Number of all the Male Poles Paying
for them Selves a Pole Tax in the Town of Sandwich this Pres-
ent Year 17S3 the Number of Which is one hundred & one
Taken By the Select Men of S d Sandwich December y e S th
I7S3
Attest Jacob Smith \ Select Men
John Ladd j of Sandwich
[Sworn to before Daniel Beede.]
[10-35] [Relative to Taxes on Acade?ny Lands : addressed
to the General Court, yunc 4., iy88.~\
Humbly Shew 8 the Select men of Sandwich in s d State That
the Genral Court on the 11 th day of aprel 17S0 Pas d a Resolve
that no Lands belonging to Dartmouth Colege Should be Sold
for taxes Soon after a Resolve Pas d that no Land belonging to
the Philips Exeter Academy Should be Sold for taxes and it
was further Resolv d that the taxes for the Present or untill a
new Proportion Shall he made Should be Charged to the State
at which time one Sixth Part of the township of Sandwich be-
long unto Said Schools the Taxes due on which are as follows
viz
£ S d
For the year 177S — 1 1 — 15 — o
For the year 1779 — 107 — o — o
for the year 1780 — 216 — 4 — o
for the year 17S1 New emission Paper 16 — 4 — 6 — Silver 4 — 17
_8—
for the year 17S2 £15 — S — 2 —
for the year 1 7S3 — S — 8 — 8 —
Which account was Presented to the General Court in the
year 17S4 for allowance but through the hurrey of buisiness
was not attended unto Since which we have been Obliged to
Pay & Settle Said Taxes with the Treasurer Therefore we Pray
The Hon blc Court to Grant unto the s d town or the Selectmen
of Said town for the town use an order on the Treasurer for
Such a Sum as Shall be Justly due to Said Town —
And we as in duty bound Shall ever Pray
Jonathan Gil man ) Select
John Ladd j men
29
41 8 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[10-36] \_Stat7tient relative to Roads, Bridges, etc., 1791.']
Humbly Shewith the Inhabetance of Sandwich in Said State
that the Roads in s d Town, are very wet Rocky and two
Bridges over a rappid Stream which often raises twenty feet
Parpendicular in a very Short time which often carris off Said
Bridges that a road leading through s d town to Camptain is
very much out of repare on which there is not one settlement
for more than four Miles and another leading to Holderness
equaly bad on which there is no settlement for three miles
which two Last mention 11 Roads are all on Lands of non Resi-
dents and altho the highway Rate in Said Sandwich for Sever-
al years has been more than double to all other taxes vet are
Very insuficient for the purpose of Repairing s d Roads There-
fore we Pray s d Hon ble Court to Pass an act to enable the Select
men- of Sandwich afores d to tax one Penny on the acre of all
the unimprov d Lands owned by non Residents in Said Sand-
wich Excepting Public Lands for the Sole purpose of Repair-
ing said Roads leading to Camptain & Newholderness and as
in Duty bound will ever Pray
at a Legal meeting held at Sandwich Decemb 1 " 13 th 1790
Voted the above Petition be Presented to the Hon ble Court
above Said
Nathaniel French moderator
Daniel Beede Town Clerk
[10-37] \_JVon- Residents' Answer to foregoing, ijqi.~\
WE the Subscribers owners of Land in the Township of
Sandwich being informed that a Petition is to be presented to
the General Court to Tax the Nonresidents for the purpose of
repairing highways in said Township Hereby signify our Con-
sent that the prayer of said petition be now granted on the fol-
lowing Condition, on the part of the petitioners, Viz. that said
Tax do not exceed One penny per Acre —
Exeter January I2 ui 1 791 .
John Taylor Gilman — Owner of sixteen Lots of One
Hundred Acres each — 1600
\V m Parker j r Six Lots one hnndred acres each 600
Jonathan Cass four Lots 100 acres each 400
Gideon Lamson four Lots 100 acres each 400
Nathaniel Gilman Five Lots: 100: acres each 500
Whole 35°°
T
SANDWICH. 419
[10-39] \_Petifi01i for a Special Tax to Build Roads, 1796.']
The Petition of the Subscribers Selectmen in behalf and
Agreeable to a Vote of the Inhabetants of the Town of Sand-
wich Humbly Sheweth —
That the Inhabitants of the Town of Sandwich by Reason of
their local situation among Mountain Ponds and Streams are
obliged to be at great Expence to Support their highways and
that the Town of Thornton request a road to be laid out and
Made passable to their Line which is about Six miles without
Inhabitants another Road must be made to Holderness about
Two miles thro unimproved Lands and another to Burton un-
der the Same Circumstance abut three Miles and almost all our
Roads in Town very bad. Therefore we pray that the Select-
men may be impovvered to Assess on all the Lands in Sand-
wich Two Cents per Acre for the Purpose of making and Re-
pairing the before mention'd Roads and now laid out in Sand-
wich where most needed or Grant us relief in Such manner as
you Shall in your Wissdom Think best and we Shall as in duty
bound ever Pray
Sandwich Nov r 21 th 1796
Tohn Folsom ) c ,
Asa Crosby J Selectmen
[The foregoing petition was granted. — Ed.]
[10—40] \_JVon- Residents' Remonstrance to foregoing. ,]
The subscribers, owners of lands in Sandwich — being inform-
ed that application has been made to the Legislature for grant-
ing a Tax upon the non resident owners of lands in said Town
and a time assign'd for a hearing thereon — Beg leave respect-
fully to shew —
That from the first settlement of said Township the proprie-
tors have expended large sums for settling and defending the
same and believe they are warranted in saying that their expell-
ees attending the settlement & c have been at least equal to the
proprietary expences of Any Township within the State. —
That when the first grant of the Town was run out the pro-
prietors found so great a proportion of bad lands within their
limits that they determined not to prosecute the settlement un-
less they could obtain an additional Grant — which they after-
wards did obtain. — That it appears by a Census taken in pur-
suance of the Act of Congress of March 1790 That the Town
420 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
then contained Nine hundred and five persons — that since that
time the number has greatly increased, that a great proportion
of the Valuable lands are already settled and there is a large pro-
portion of the lotts unfit for settlement and of Very little Value —
That the Town petitioned the General Court in the year 1791
for granting a Tax of one penny an Acre — That the then agent
and representative of the Town shew this petition to a number
of the non resident owners of lands and requested their consent
to the Grant of the Tax that the act might pass without previ-
ous public notice and from an Understanding with the said
agent and Representative that on condition of their giving such
consent no further request would ever be made on this subject
they gave their consent in writing which was presented to the
General Court and the Act passed at the Same Session —
That a General act having been passed by the Legislature for
Taxing non-residents they did not expect application would be
made for particular Taxes — That a Tax of a Certain Sum per
acre on lands without regard to their Value is in their opinion
unequal & oppressive — Wherefore they pray that said Tax may
not be granted —
Nath 1 Folsom N 8 Gilman
Nath 11 Gidding Nat. Gilman
Gideon Lamson W m Parker j r
SEABROOK
The territory in this town was formerly a part of Hamp-
ton, and was a part of the town of Hampton Falls when
that town was established, and so remained until June 3,
1768, at which time it was incorporated as a separate town
by its present name, the derivation of which is obvious.
The Quaker Society, formed in 1701, was largely in that
portion of Hampton which is now Seabrook, and its mem-
bers were, by the act incorporating the latter named town,
to be exempt from paying any taxes for the support of the
Presbyterian church.
By an act passed December 7, 1816, a small tract of land
was severed from Hampton Falls and annexed to this town.
June 26, 1822, an act was passed establishing the west-
erly boundary line of this town, by which a tract of land
formerly belonging to South Hampton was declared to be
within the jurisdiction of Seabrook.
y? 0120? 97
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